Student causes fatal accident; four motorcyclists die

This month, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln student suspected of being inebriated was involved in a fatal car crash.

According to a crash accident report released by the Iowa State Patrol, 21-year-old Andrew Schlichtemeier, a junior agronomy student, was traveling northbound on Interstate 29 in Harrison County, Iowa, when he crossed the center line and struck head-on four motorcyclists traveling southbound.

Three of the motorcyclists in the crash were transported to Alegent Health Community Memorial Hospital, and one was taken to Creighton University Medical Center. All four died of injuries sustained in the crash.

The victims are Jay C. Bock, 48, of Omaha; Steven Benscoter, 62, of Pacific Junction, Iowa; and Dennis E. Chaney, 62, and Dale E. Aspedon, 49, both of Glenwood, Iowa.

The incident took place Aug. 8 at 5:45 p.m. Schlichtemeier has not yet been charged.

In the accident report under "driver condition," he is listed to be under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medications. Blood tests were taken to determine whether drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash. The results of these tests will not be available for a couple of weeks said Courtney Greene, Iowa State Patrol public information officer.

This was not the first time that Schlichtemeier had been stopped by the police. According to a report by the Lincoln Police, he was charged with first-offense driving under the influence, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and negligent driving in 2008. He pleaded guilty to DUI and was sentenced to two days of house arrest and one year of probation. The charges of marijuana possession and negligent driving were dropped.

The report for the Aug. 8 accident described the area of the incident as "an active construction zone with the southbound lanes diverted to a single lane on the northbound side."

According to the accident report, Schlichtemeier sustained non-incapacitating injuries and was transported to Burgess Health Center in Onawa County, Iowa. He was released with a broken left foot.

Schlichtemeier has been an honors student at UNL since 2007.

UNL spokeswoman Kelly Bartling said the situation was a sad story with difficult circumstances.

"Obviously, your heart has to go out to the victims and their families," she said.

kimbuckley@dailynebraskan.com