UPDATE: Teen sentenced to 20 years for crash that killed couple

UPDATE

A Des Moines teen was sentenced to up to 20 years in prison Thursday for causing the deaths of a couple in a two-car collision in November 2023.

Kameron D. Wright, 19, had pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide by reckless driving and one count of operating while intoxicated in December. The crash killed Fred Lehman, 76, and Mary Lehman, 79, of Des Moines.

Polk County District Judge Paul Scott had the discretion of granting probation or prison for Mr. Wright. Before pronouncing the sentence, he referred to Mr. Wright’s inconsistent statements regarding accepting responsibility for the crash.

The judge gave the defendant consecutive prison sentences, citing the seriousness of the offense and the fact that two lives were lost. Mr. Wright also must pay $150,000 in restitution for each death and participate in a Victim-Offender Dialogue, if the family chooses.

At sentencing, Mr. Wright expressed remorse and said he took full responsibility for the deaths.  

“My selfishness killed them, I was careless,” he said. “… I acted on pure immaturity. I deeply, deeply apologize for causing so much grief and so much pain.”

The judge and members of the Lehman family urged Mr. Wright to use the tragedy to improve and realize his full potential.

Daughter Michelle Vry said: “I hope you choose to be a better man. My parents would have wanted that. They believed in grace and second chances, but also believed in accountability.”  

Three of the Lehmans’ other children and one granddaughter also gave victim-impact statements, describing the couples’ kindness, faith, and service to others.

“If they were here, they would be more concerned with you and your family. That’s just the way they were,” Mike Lehman, the couple’s son, said to the defendant. “There’s no question they would have forgiven you. My family has done the same.”

A daughter, Lyndsay Lehman, agreed: “I love you and I love your family, and I care about you,” she told Mr. Wright.

12/18/2024: Teen pleads guilty to vehicular homicide in couple's death

A Des Moines teen pleaded guilty Wednesday to causing the deaths of a couple in a two-car collision in November 2023.

Kameron D. Wright, 19, pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide by reckless driving and one count of operating while intoxicated. The crash killed Fred Lehman, 76, and Mary Lehman, 79, of Des Moines.

The defendant entered into a plea agreement which calls for the two sentences for vehicular homicide to be served consecutive to each other, for a total of 20 years in prison. The parties will argue whether he is granted a suspended sentence with a term of probation of three years or is sentenced to prison. He also must pay $150,000 in restitution for each death. He will be granted credit for time served and will be required to pay a fine for the OWI. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 13, 2025.

On Nov. 12, 2023, Mr. Wright was driving a 2011 Chevy Camaro westbound on East University when his vehicle collided with a Buick Century turning left onto East 27^th Street.  Black-box data in the Camaro showed that it was traveling 112 mph two seconds before the collision. The speed limit on the street is 35 mph.

Mr. Wright admitted to District Judge David Nelmark on Wednesday that he was driving recklessly considering his speed and caused the deaths of Mary Lehman, the driver of the Buick, and her passenger, Fred Lehman. He also acknowledged that he had marijuana in the system.

The Lehmans were married for 57 years and had four children, 11 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren, according to their obituary. He served as a pastor and she retired from the Iowa State Bar Association.

Assistant County Attorney Jaki Livingston prosecuted the case, with assistance from Chelsey Wilson. The case was investigated by Officer Bryan Wickett and others from the Des Moines Police Department.