An Alvord man has been sentenced to probation in a vehicular homicide case. According to a press release from the Sioux County Attorney’s Office, 22-year-old Kaleb Richard DeBey of Alvord was sentenced Monday in Sioux County District Court for the crimes of Homicide By Vehicle – Reckless Driving, a Class C Felony, and two counts of Operating While Under the Influence, both Serious Misdemeanors
The first case arose last year on July 30, when DeBey was driving his vehicle westbound on 300th Street and was approaching Fillmore Avenue, near Rock Valley. DeBey was driving at least 126 MPH, failed to navigate a curve, his vehicle left the roadway striking a culvert causing an unrestrained passenger to be ejected and killed. The Iowa Highway Patrol investigation showed that DeBey’s alcohol concentration was 0.157 and that controlled substances were present. DeBey was charged with Vehicular Homicide and OWI.
Then on September 1, 2023, DeBey was stopped and was again found to be operating a motor vehicle with a breath alcohol concentration of 0.101, resulting in a second OWI charge.
The State and DeBey reached a plea agreement where each side would make their own sentencing recommendations, and the Court would determine the sentence. During the sentencing hearing Monday, the State recommended the Court impose a 10-year prison sentence, or in the alternative, recommended a jail sentence which could have been up to two years. Counsel for DeBey recommended probation and no jail time.
The Court ruled that DeBey’s prison term would be suspended and ordered DeBey to serve five years of probation. DeBey was also ordered to complete a substance abuse evaluation and comply with any recommendations. The Court further ordered DeBey to serve seven days in the county jail between the two OWIs but was given credit for the 11 days he previously served. Pursuant to the Court’s ruling, DeBey will not have to serve any additional incarceration.
