(Oakland) An Oakland man charged in connection with a fatal UTV crash received a suspended prison sentence.
According to court records, 85-year-old Gene Fritz was sentenced to 10-years in prison, but that sentence was suspended. He was fined $1,370, that fine was also suspended. Fritz must serve two years of probation.
A suspended prison sentence is jail time ordered by a judge but delayed, usually with probation. If the person breaks probation rules, they can be required to serve the original sentence.
Gene Fritz was charged with Homicide by Vehicle – Reckless Driving following a December 26, 2024 incident that resulted in the death of 83-year-old Sandra Madron.
The crash occurred at 570 North Highway Street in Oakland. When deputies arrived on the scene, they found the UTV on the sidewalk and Madron lying on her left side. She was transported to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, where she later died from her injuries.
Fritz had told deputies that he was heading home at the time of the crash and often drove his UTV on the sidewalk because he “can’t see well and he drives very slow.” He stated that he didn’t see Sandra Madron until he hit her and “she must have been wearing dark clothing.”
Further investigation revealed that Fritz did not have a valid driver’s license, and the UTV he was operating was not registered for roadway use.
