A special prosecutor in Henderson County has brought felony reckless homicide charges against a Gladstone woman related to the death of two maintenance workers last year on the Great River Bridge near Burlington.
22-year-old Emily R. Johnson faces a pair of Class 2 counts of reckless homicide in a construction zone and another pair of counts of aggravated use of a communication device.
Henderson County State’s Attorney Rachel Mast requested a special prosecutor, in this case, to avoid “any appearance of impropriety or conflict.”
Special Prosecutor Brian Towne has been assigned to the case.
Towne alleges that Johnson was traveling in her vehicle on U.S. Route 34 and failed to slow down or yield to the maintenance zone and struck two workers; resulting in the death of 20-year-old Pearson J. Franklin of New London, Iowa, and 35-year-old Andrew Whitcomb of Burnside, Iowa.
If convicted of reckless homicide Johnson could face between 6 and 28 years imprisonment.
Johnson’s bond was set at $150,000, and she did post the $15,000 needed to get out.
Her next appearance in court will be May 3 at 11 a.m. for an initial appearance and a preliminary hearing.
