Des Moines man gets probation for fatal 2022 Windsor Heights crash
A Des Moines man who caused a fatal multi-car accident in 2022 will serve two years of probation under a plea deal with prosecutors.
Cameron Slothouber, 27, was speeding and attempting to pass another car in a no-passing zone on 63rd Street when he collided head-on with a vehicle driven by 71-year-old Rickey Beasley of Des Moines, according to court filings. The crash occurred March 26, according to the complaint, and Beasley died April 18 of his injuries, his obituary said. Slothouber also struck a third vehicle during the crash.
Slothouber was charged with vehicular homicide by reckless driving and pleaded guilty in December. On Wednesday, Judge Heather Lauber suspended his 10-year prison sentence and placed him on probation instead. He must also pay Beasley's estate $150,000 in restitution.
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Slothouber spoke about his regret and remorse for the crash, and prosecutor Jaki Livingston told the court the state supported suspending his sentence.
"Given his acceptance of responsibility, we do think it's appropriate to give him the opportunity for probation," she said.
Lauber told Slothouber that "there is no sentence the court can impose that would give you the ability to go back to the day before this happened and do things in a different way."
She said she was encouraged by his full acceptance of guilt.
"Your words here today indicate to me ... that this is something that will stay with you, that you will think about this for the rest of your life," she said.
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Court records show several prior convictions for Slothouber, and the judge noted he was not eligible for a deferred judgment because he had already had a previous case deferred. He also has unresolved Windsor Heights citations for the 2022 crash, including one for driving with a revoked or suspended license. Livingston said after the hearing that he will be barred from driving as part of his probation.
Andrew Petrovich, Slothouber's attorney, said his client deeply regrets what happened.
"I think the judge handed down the appropriate sentence," he said after the hearing. "I don't think I've ever had a client more remorseful."
William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com, 715-573-8166 or on Twitter at @DMRMorris.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines man sentenced for fatal Windsor Heights crash
