Keokuk County residents charged after hay rack crash

WHAT CHEER — A family that allegedly organized a kid’s party in Keokuk County last month is being sued for negligence after a hay rack ride at the event went into a ditch, “throwing the middle-school aged riders throughout the road,” causing severe injuries for at least one occupant, according to court documents.

The lawsuit charges Victoria and David Heady, of Keokuk County, with negligence, arguing that as the event’s organizers, they had failed in their “duty to protect their guests and invitees from harm.”

Court documents show the same charges against the ride’s driver and trailer owner, Dan Brubaker, claiming he drove, “In a negligent and reckless manner that caused the truck and trailer to crash.”

David Heady was expected to resign from his position as a Keokuk County Deputy on Oct. 30, according to a publicly available agenda for the county’s Board of Supervisors.

The lawsuit was filed by Amy Stewart and Bronson McCulley, who said their 12-year-old daughter, identified as “E.M.” in court documents, was left with “life-altering” injuries from the crash.

Grant Woodard, an attorney for Stewart and McCulley, said the impact on the family was substantial.

“My client and family have gone through a lot over the past two and half weeks — nothing any child should have to go through,” he said in an email. “She and her family are focused on her healing and the multitude of struggles ahead. We look forward to holding accountable those who caused these injuries and pain.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com