(West Union, IA) — A 27-year-old Des Moines woman has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide charges. Kelli Jo Michael admitted hitting a teenager riding his moped three years ago. Fourteen-year-old Kaiden Estling was killed. Michael admits she was driving recklessly when she rear-ended the victim near the town of Fayette. She was arrested last summer and now faces up to 10 years in prison. Michael’s sentencing is set for July 12th. As part of the plea agreement, she will pay the victim’s family 150-thousand dollars in restitution. The family is also suing her in a civil court action.
Des Moines Woman Pleads Guilty To Vehicular Homicide Charges
Jun 9, 2021 | 6:59 AM
LOCAL NEWS
Lewis Teen Dies After Rollover Crash in Adair County
(Adair Co.) A Lewis teenager died after suffering injuries in a single-vehicle rollover crash late Saturday night in rural Adair County. According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash occurred on Brown...
Jun 28, 2026
Walcott Insurance Agent Charged with 23 Felonies in Identity Theft in Insurance Fraud Scheme
(Des Moines) A Walcott man faces over two dozen criminal charges following an extensive investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division's Fraud Bureau into an alleged identity theft and unauthorized insu...
Jul 02, 2026
LOCAL SPORTS
IGHSAU Softball Rankings
The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released its latest softball rankings and there is a new number one in Class 1A -- Exira EHK/Audubon and a new number one in Class 2A -- Riverside. The Spart...
Jul 01, 2026
Atlantic Head Softball Coach Terry Hinzmann Reflects on the 20-0 Finish in the Hawkeye Ten Conference
(Atlantic) The Atlantic softball team capped off an undefeated run through the Hawkeye Ten Conference on Thursday, sweeping a doubleheader against Red Oak to complete a perfect 20-0 Conference season....
Jun 28, 2026
