Charles City woman charged with homicide by vehicle-OWI for traffic deaths of Mason City couple

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A Charles City woman has been arrested and charged with homicide for her alleged involvement in the deaths of a Mason City couple in a September traffic collision.

Casey Jo Lindahl, age 28, was charged with two counts of homicide by vehicle – operating under the influence, Class B felonies, for allegedly driving drunk, crossing the center line and crashing head-on into another vehicle, causing the deaths of Chris Andersen, age 77, and Anita Andersen, age 76, of Mason City.

She was also charged with child endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor, because her 3-year-old son was with her in the car at the time she allegedly drove while intoxicated. She was also charged with a traffic offense for crossing the center line.

The crash occurred a little after 2 p.m. on Sept. 4, 2 miles west of Colwell on Underwood Avenue, according to an Iowa State Patrol report at the time. Lindahl was driving a 2012 Ford Edge southbound and the Andersens were in a 2019 Ford Flex driving northbound when they collided.

Lindahl and her son, who was in the back seat, received minor injuries, the State Patrol report said.

According to the criminal complaints filed in Floyd County District Court, a search warrant was ordered to take a blood sample from Lindahl and the result showed she had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.146%. The legal limit for driving while under the influence is 0.08%.

A warrant was issued for Lindahl’s arrest on Dec. 20, and she was taken into custody last Thursday, Dec. 23, at her home. She was released from custody after posting $5,000 – 10% of a $50,000 cash bond on the felony charges, and $2,000 – 10% of a $2,000 cash bond on the aggravated misdemeanor charge.

Lindahl is being represented by attorney Benjamin Lynch of Clive. Lynch filed a waiver of preliminary hearing, so the next court actions will usually be the filing of the trial information by the county attorney’s office formally listing the charges, then an arraignment will be held, where the defendant, Lindahl, will enter a plea.

Homicide by vehicle – operating under the influence is a Class B felony, punishable upon conviction by up to 25 years in prison. The charge also includes loss of driver’s license for 6 years.