Man Charged With OWI After UTV Rolls on Tracks
Jared Deahr, 44, faces an OWI first-offense charge and a weapons charge after a UTV overturned at an Iowa City railroad crossing.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Crime — General
Live Poll
Should drunk driving penalties in your community be stricter than they are now?
Jared Deahr, 44, of West Liberty was charged with OWI first offense and person ineligible to carry a dangerous weapon after his UTV rolled onto its side on railroad tracks at the Greenwood Drive crossing in Iowa City on Saturday afternoon. Police encountered him standing near the overturned vehicle.
Why it matters
The case highlights the dangers of impaired operation of off-road vehicles near active rail infrastructure in Iowa City. If convicted on both counts, Deahr could face up to two years in prison.
Deahr faces charges of OWI first offense and person ineligible to carry a dangerous weapon, with a possible sentence of up to two years in prison if convicted on both counts. The source does not specify a court date or whether he has entered a plea.
The players
Jared Deahr
Jared Deahr is a 44-year-old West Liberty man charged in connection with the incident.
The details
Police found Deahr standing near his UTV after it rolled onto its side on the railroad tracks at the Greenwood Drive crossing. Officers reported that he had the odor of ingested alcohol and slurred speech, and that his wallet and a knife were placed on a police vehicle hood.
Timeline
Saturday afternoon: UTV overturned on railroad tracks and Deahr was found nearby (prior to November 3, 2026).
Legal Context
Iowa treats operating a vehicle while intoxicated as a criminal offense under its OWI statute, with first-offense charges carrying the penalties now being sought against Deahr. Cases involving impaired operation of off-road vehicles are prosecuted under the same framework in Iowa City and across the state.
Residents near the Greenwood Drive rail crossing may see increased attention to impaired off-road vehicle use on nearby tracks. Drivers should avoid parking or stopping vehicles on railroad crossings, where a stranded vehicle can create a serious hazard.
The takeaway
Stopping or stranding any vehicle on a railroad crossing creates serious risk, and driving while impaired remains a criminal offense in Iowa regardless of vehicle type. Anyone who sees a vehicle stuck on tracks should move away from the crossing and call emergency services.
Further reading
For more on local incidents like this, browse Crime — General coverage across the Iowa City area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Mighty 1630 KCJJ.
Live Poll
Should drunk driving penalties in your community be stricter than they are now?
