Woman claims responsibility for Fairfield hit-and-run

On Oct. 8, 2014, the Jefferson County Law Center received a call that a seven-year-old child on a bicycle had been hit by a female driver in a black, four-door car on Fairview Street, north of Pence Elementary School and that the driver of the car continued on without stopping.

An investigation was initiated by the Fairfield Police Department. On Oct. 13, 2014, an individual came to the Jefferson County Law Center and stated that she was the driver of the vehicle involved in the incident. The individual was Nicole Wheeler, 110 Cardinal Drive, Fairfield, whose date of birth is Oct. 8, 1996.

Due to a conflict of interest, the investigation was turned over to the Jefferson County Sheriff?s Office who had assisted at the scene at the time of the incident. It was also determined that the Jefferson County Attorney?s Office had conflict of interest and the case was referred to the Wapello County Attorney?s Office.

On Oct. 17, the Wapello County Attorney?s Office decided that Wheeler should be charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury in violation of Iowa Code section 321.261(2). This is a serious misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $1,875.00. She was charged with the above offense on Oct. 20, 2014. The prosecution of this case will also be handled by the Wapello County Attorney?s Office.

A criminal charge is only an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and if found guilty by a jury.

The Jefferson County Sheriff?s Office and the Jefferson County Attorney?s Office would like to thank everyone for their help and patience in determining what happened in this incident. Due to the type of incident and the multiple conflicts of interest, this investigation did take time.

Parties and agencies assisting with this investigation were the Jefferson County Sheriff?s Office, the Fairfield Police Department, the Jefferson County Attorney?s Office and the Wapello County Attorney?s Office.