BREAKING: Gubernatorial candidate involved in fatal crash

COUNCIL BLUFFS (AP) --- Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gregg Connell was involved in a car crash that killed a 51-year-old Atlantic man, police said.

The crash happened at about 2:50 p.m. on Tuesday just west of Griswold in southwest Iowa, said Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker.

A police report said Connell, 56, was southbound on a county road when he ran a stop sign at the intersection of Iowa Highway 92 and collided with a vehicle driven by David Juhl.

Juhl was transported to an Atlantic hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Danker said Connell, the mayor of Shenandoah, was issued a citation for a stop sign violation. He was treated and released from a Red Oak hospital.

<snip>

http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2005/11/09/news/breaking_news/doc43722fbf523e1428715497.txt

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

So sad, my prayers are with both families.

I can't imagine what it would be like to be in his position right about now.

as a reporter, there was a young fellow -- 16 or 17 -- who was driving about five miles over the speed limit on a residential street. A child came out from between two parked cars and the guy couldn't stop in time.

The whole scene was so sad... two lives ended.

I know I have accidentally run stop signs, especially on country roads. I've also been guilty of driving a bit too fast in residential areas. Because of that story, I always make a point of telling my children how, in a split second, the decisions we make can permanently affect our lives.

My prayers to both families.

I feel for the deceased as well as Mr. Connell. I had met Mr. Connell at the JJ dinner for the first time just last week. I saw great things for him in our party. Hopefully he will get his life back in order as this has to be devastating for him.

So few of us went to JJ. You should start a thread about it so you can inform us of the goings on at the event.

people are having a hey day with this.

Seems public opinion is that he should be tried for negligent homicide for the accident. That if he were intoxicated he would be, so why did he just get the stop-sign ticket?

It's too tragic for me to make any judgments. No matter what the penalties he'll be living with this for the rest of his life.

in LBN. Seems a little knee-jerkish to me. Lives are ruined. It's just sad.

I'm from southwest Iowa and have never heard of LBN...

Anyway, I really hope Connell pulls out of the race now -- no need for this to give the party a black eye. I know I sound insensitive in saying it at a time like this, but it's true.

It's a very sad situation overall.

LBN = Latest Breaking News

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=102


Connell story

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1913254&mesg_id=1913254

Does anyone know whether Connell is being investigated for being intoxicated while driving in the accident?

(tell me if you want me to find the link) That the felt alcohol was not a reason for the accident.

Connell did a press release that he does not drink and was not drinking at the time of the accident. (again, let me know if you want links to this, I'll look if you need them).