Gridley pleads not guilty to vehicular homicide charge

Donald Dean Gridley, 44, of Fairfield, has pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide, according to online court records.

Gridley entered the plea Monday and also waived his right to a speedy trial.

Gridley was involved in an automobile accident Dec. 11, 2012, in northeastern Wapello County. His father, Patrick C. Gridley, 65, of Fairfield, was a passenger in his vehicle and died from injuries suffered during the accident.

According to the Iowa State Patrol report, Donald Dean Gridley was driving a 1979 Ford pickup north on Compentine Road and failed to stop at a stop sign at the ?T? intersection of Compentine Road and 165th Street. The vehicle entered the north ditch, striking a post at 3:27 a.m. Dec. 11.

Gridley was also charged with failure to maintain control, failure to obey a stop sign and failure to have a valid driver?s license.