Trial Pushed Back for Cedar Rapids Teen Accused of Driving Drunk in Fatal Head-On Crash on I-380

A trial that was to begin today in a fatal crash that claimed the life of a Marion woman has been pushed back.

After a continuance was requested in the case against Chase Goers, 17, Sixth District Judge Ian K. Thornhill set a new pretrial conference date for Aug. 29 and a new trial date of Sept. 9.  

Goers, of Cedar Rapids, has pleaded not guilty to two felony charges of vehicular manslaughter following a head-on crash that left Kelley McLaren, 25, of Marion, dead the weekend before Thanksgiving. Police say the teen was intoxicated and traveling the wrong way on Interstate 380 early on Nov. 18 when his vehicle collided head-on with the vehicle driven by McLaren.

Goers is being tried as an adult.

His blood alcohol level was .154 percent, which is nearly twice the legal limit for driving, a Gazette report stated. The more serious penalty is vehicular homicide for operating while intoxicated, which is a Class B felony and carries a mandatory prison term of 25 years. The second charge for reckless driving is a Class C felony and carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years.