Keota Man gets prison sentence for drunk driving crash

WASHINGTON — Joshua Pappas, 42, was sentenced to prison for up to 15 years on Sept. 7 after having pled to three Class D felony offenses earlier this year. Pappas pleaded guilty in April to Operating While Intoxicated, Third or Subsequent Offense, and to two separate counts of Serious Injury by Motor Vehicle. Each count was punishable by up to five years in prison. At sentencing, Judge Daniel Kitchen determined that all three offenses would be run consecutive for an indeterminate term not to exceed fifteen years.

According to court documents, charges were filed in early 2022 stemming from a motor vehicle accident on Dec. 6, 2021 where the defendant’s vehicle failed to stop at the intersection of 190th Street and Highway 1 north of Washington. A vehicle driven by Pappas struck another vehicle, causing serious injuries to two of the occupants. Pappas was found to have a blood alcohol level of .191.

The Washington County Attorney’s Office argued for consecutive sentences, citing the multiple victims affected and the need to protect the community from further offenses by the defendant and others who choose to drive drunk, putting themselves and everyone else on the road at risk.

Washington County Attorney Nathan Repp made the sentencing announcement Monday. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol investigated the case. Assistant County Attorney Shane McChurch prosecuted the case.

“We have an obligation to one another to drive safe and drive sober,” McChurch said in a statement. “Always have a plan for how you’ll get home before you start drinking, and never put yourself behind the wheel if you could hurt other people.”