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Iowa Man Allegedly Driving High On Cocaine Caused Crash That Killed 9-Year-Old, Police Say
Jesse Blade was allegedly drunk, high, and driving twice the speed limit when the fatal crash occurred.
An Iowa man is now charged with causing the death of a 9-year-old boy after police say he drunkenly ran a stop sign and crashed into another vehicle late last year.
Jesse Blade, 30, of Charles City, is facing multiple counts, including a charge of homicide by vehicle-OWI in the death of Royce Fisher, 9, last October. Charges were filed Tuesday and Blade was arrested Thursday, according to local outlet KIMT.
On the morning of October 26, 2019, Blade was allegedly driving twice the speed limit, had a blood alcohol level of .137, and tested positive for cocaine when he crashed into a car carrying Royce, grandparents Ronald Fisher and Sarah Fisher, and Royce's 11-year-old friend Aidyn Kline.
Royce was killed, while Ronald, Sarah, and Aidyn were seriously injured in the collision.
"Royce was a great kid, an honest person, and a wonderful judge of character. He saw the good in people and put others before himself. He stood up for bullied kids at school and always seemed to do what was right, even if it wasn't popular," an obituary of the boy published in the Globe Gazette stated.
"He enjoyed fishing with his dad. He liked to ride his dirt bike and go four wheeling. He had a very special bond with his aunt, Gabby and friend, Aidyn Kline who were close to his age and dear to his heart. There wasn't a more polite and well-behaved kid in this world," the obituary published in November 2019 continued.
Blade has not yet entered a plea and his attorney did not return a call seeking comment, according to the Associated Press.
It was not immediately clear why it took five months to charge Blade following the October crash.
