Fairfield man found guilty of voluntary manslaughter

COLUMBUS JUNCTION — A Fairfield man has been found guilty of voluntary manslaughter for an automobile collision that resulted in the death of his girlfriend.

Derrick Maynard, 37, of Fairfield, was arrested in 2021, more than a year after the collision that resulting in the death of Megan Marie Reid, 29, who died on May 19, 2020 at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City.

Reid was transported to Iowa City after being involved in a collision with Maynard in Columbus Junction.

According to the initial crash report from the Iowa State Patrol, Maynard and Reid were traveling in separate vehicles, with Maynard following Reid’s vehicle.

Maynard, driving a Ford F-650 U-Haul rental truck, struck Reid’s vehicle, a Chevrolet Cobalt, while Reid was making a U-turn on Third Street in Columbus Junction.

The state Attorney General’s Office took over the case from the Louisa County Attorney’s Office.

According to documents published on Iowa Courts Online, the prosecution obtained evidence from Maynard’s vehicle indicating its gas pedal was fully depressed and that the brakes were not applied at the time of the crash. Maynard was then arrested in 2021 and charged with intentionally killing Reid.

According to trial documents published online, the jury in the case asked to review a transcript of the testimonies of several witnesses who testified in the case, but the court denied the request.

Maynard’s sentencing hearing has been set for Sept. 30.

According to her obituary, Reid was a native of Keosauqua who graduated from its high school and later received a master’s degree from Buena Vista College.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com