Weigelt

An Albion woman was sentenced to no longer than 10 years in prison for vehicular homicide during a sentencing hearing at the Marshall County Courthouse on Monday.

Morgan Weigelt, 24, was sentenced to the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville immediately. The length of time for her incarceration is not determined. In June she was convicted by a jury of homicide by vehicle – reckless driving.

The jury determined Weigelt was at fault for the May 2023 death of 86-year-old Clarence Borton. She was driving on Highway 330 and was using her cell phone, searching for car parts. The law enforcement report stated Weigelt had 552 feet of distance and clear visibility, but did not take evasive action to prevent colliding with Borton’s tractor. Weigelt’s vehicle came to a stop due to the damage sustained from the collision. During her trial, she testified she was not on her phone.

Weigelt was also ordered to pay $150,000 to Borton’s estate and a fine of $1,370. She is also supposed to pay victim restitution if the court requires it in the future.

A civil wrongful death lawsuit against Weigelt, filed by Borton’s estate, is scheduled to go to a non-jury trial on Aug. 5.

——-

Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.