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UPDATE: Michigan truck driver sentenced to 25 years in tow-truck driver's death

Published 1/16/2025 4:40:16 PM

UPDATE: Jan. 16, 2025

A Michigan semi-truck driver was sentenced to up to 25 years in prison Thursday for the death of a tow-truck driver in November 2023.

A jury convicted Dmytro Prysich, 55, of Hamtramck, Mich., of vehicular homicide on Oct. 14, 2024, while under the influence. He was acquitted of leaving the scene of an accident causing death.  

The incident killed Joshua Villa, 45, of Adel, who was working for Rick’s Towing.

In addition to the prison time, Mr. Prysich must pay $150,000 in restitution to the estate of Mr. Villa and participate in a Victim-Offender Dialogue, if the victim’s family chooses.

Several members of Mr. Villa’s family submitted victim impact statements to the court, asking for accountability for the crime.

“The operation of a 70,000-pound semi-truck while intoxicated and the catastrophic consequences of those actions should not be taken lightly,” said a statement by the family read by victim liaison Megan Peak.

James Villa told the court that he had spoken to his son the day before his death. “It was the happiest I had seen him or talked to him in years. He had pure joy and purpose. I was so happy for him and proud.”

“I pray the defendant gets the help he needs and my son’s death would not be in vain,” Mr. Villa said. “I forgive you and I pray for you and your family.”

Mr. Prysich, who had the services of a Ukrainian interpreter, declined to speak at the sentencing.

 

Oct. 14, 2024

A Polk County jury convicted a Michigan semi-truck driver Monday for the death of a tow-truck driver in November 2023.

Dmytro Prysich, 55, of Hamtramck, Mich., was convicted of vehicular homicide while under the influence. He was acquitted of leaving the scene of an accident causing death.  

The incident killed Joshua Villa, 45, of Adel, who was working for Rick’s Towing.

Mr. Prysich faces 25 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 10. 

On the evening of Nov. 12, 2023, at mile marker 130 of Interstate Highway 35/80, Mr. Villa was loading a disabled vehicle onto his tow truck while an Urbandale police officer and a DOT Highway Helper assisted at the scene. Evidence showed that a semitruck failed to move over or slow down and struck Mr. Villa. The semi-truck driver did not stop, according to the Urbandale officer.

Mr. Prysich was arrested shortly after by Clive police. Blood tests showed that the defendant had an alcohol level of .196.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant County Attorney Jaki Livingston and assisted by Chelsey Wilson. The investigation was conducted by the Iowa State Patrol and Urbandale and Clive police.