A central Iowa man has been charged with vehicular homicide and driving under the influence after a July 4 traffic crash in South Dakota that left a girl from Waterloo dead and another teenager injured, South Dakota authorities said Thursday.
Accused and charges
The attorney general’s office identified the defendant as 38-year-old Zachary Berger of Indianola. Prosecutors say Berger is a habitual offender; if convicted, that status could expose him to a maximum sentence of life in prison.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Accused | Zachary Berger, 38, Indianola, Iowa |
| Charges | Vehicular homicide; drunk driving |
| Victim | Girl from Waterloo (killed) |
| Other injured | Teenager (injured) |
| Date of crash | July 4, 2026 |
What the charges mean
Vehicular homicide charges in this case come alongside an allegation of driving under the influence. Prosecutors have also flagged Berger as a habitual offender, a designation that often increases potential penalties if convictions are secured on underlying offenses. The attorney general’s statement said that habitually offending could result in a life sentence for Berger.
Local impact and next steps
Crashes that cause deaths or serious injuries are relatively rare in many South Dakota communities but have outsized effects when they occur—particularly when they involve young people and holiday travel. The July 4 weekend is traditionally one of the busier periods for traffic, and investigators often concentrate on alcohol-impaired driving as a factor in holiday collisions.
- Authorities will prosecute the case under state law; details on arraignment or trial dates have not been released.
- Investigators typically compile crash reports, toxicology results and witness statements to build the case; the attorney general’s office is handling the prosecution.
- Families of victims may pursue criminal justice outcomes alongside civil remedies, though no civil claims have been announced.
This incident crosses state lines in multiple ways: the accused is from Indianola, Iowa, and the victim was a Waterloo resident, while the collision occurred in South Dakota. That can complicate logistics—from evidence collection to court appearances—but the attorney general’s office is leading the prosecution on behalf of South Dakota.
Further public records and court filings will clarify the exact charges, the legal timetable and evidence the state plans to present. News Block will continue to follow the case and report new developments, including court dates and official statements from law enforcement and prosecutors.
