Sheriff?s office says Reimers acted in self-defense

The Washington County Sheriff?s Department and Washington County Attorney?s Office have investigated a fight between two men from Washington on March 22 and is charging one of them with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) and not charging the other man. Tim Peterson, 44, is being charged with OWI. The other man in the altercation, Shawn Reimers, 33, is not facing charges.

The sheriff?s department and county attorney?s office issued a press release Friday morning detailing the results of their investigation. Washington County Sheriff Jerry Dunbar said the incident began when Peterson and Reimers were traveling in separate pickups in the 2800 block of Wayland Road. The press release stated that Peterson flagged Reimers to the side of the road. Reimers stopped to see what Peterson wanted and did not recognize or know Peterson.

The press release stated that, according to Reimers? statement, Peterson and his Mastiff dog approached him. Peterson confronted Reimers about his driving. Reimers stated that he observed Peterson standing with a clenched fist while yelling at him. Reimers turned to leave the area because of Peterson?s demeanor and Peterson hit him with a closed fist.

In an interview Friday morning, Reimers told The Journal that he pulled over to see if Peterson needed anything. He said Peterson cursed at him for tailgating him. Reimers said Peterson was traveling 40 mph in a 55 mph zone. Reimers said Peterson punched him in the back of the head after he turned to walk away and that Peterson?s dog started biting his foot. Reimers said Peterson hit him in the head multiple times.

The press release stated that Reimers ducked down to protect his head. It stated that Reimers said he stood up while throwing a single punch and struck Peterson in the head. Peterson fell to the ground and hit his head on the asphalt. Reimers said he saw Peterson wasn?t moving and dragged Peterson from the highway. Reimers called 911 to report the incident.

Reimers told The Journal that he experienced swelling as a result of the fight and that he did not seek medical attention for his injuries. Reimers said he was acting in self-defense.

Peterson has been unable to give a statement relating to these events. When law enforcement officials arrived on the scene, they found Peterson unconscious. Peterson was transported by ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. His wife, Dawn Peterson, said on March 29 that Tim had two fractures at the base of his skull and that he had been eating through a tube because he could not swallow.

The press release stated that medical records show Peterson had a blood alcohol level of .144 when he was taken to the hospital. The legal limit in Iowa is .08. Law enforcement spoke with doctors about Peterson?s injuries. The press release said the doctors believe Reimers? statements are consistent with Peterson?s injuries.

?Under Iowa law, a person is justified in the use of reasonable force when the person reasonably believes that such force is necessary to defend oneself from any imminent use of unlawful force,? the press release stated. ?Reasonable force is that force and no more which a reasonable person, in like circumstances, would judge to be necessary to prevent an injury. Based on the results of the investigation, the Washington County Sheriff?s Office and the Washington County Attorney?s Office concluded that Peterson initiated the confrontation and was the initial aggressor. In response, Reimers used reasonable force to defend himself from Peterson?s unlawful use of force. As a result, there is no evidence indicating Reimers acted in any other way than self-defense.?