A driver who claimed he was distracted when he hit and paralyzed a Pennsylvania cyclist last month could face stiffer penalties than Iowa law generally permits.
CyclistJared Fenstermacher's cross-country rideto raise money for a cancer foundation was cut short Aug. 11 when he was hit from behind by a vehicle on a rural county road about 10 miles north of Sioux City.
The driver,Michael Vondrak, 29, of Merill, was charged withoperating too close to a bicyclist and driving without proof of insurance. He was facinga maximum $750 fine.
But the Plymouth County Attorney's Office filed notice Thursday with the courtthat it intends to seek jail time or restitution.
"We argued the conduct and the outcome was serious enough,it warranted more than an ordinary fine," said Darin Raymond, Plymouth county attorney.
Vondrak has pleaded not guilty.His court date is Oct. 10.
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