(Algona)– The Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two teens in connection with the death of 18-year-old A-J Preston of Ringsted.
Preston was found dead early January 1st at the end of a long driveway from what the sheriff’s office says was a hit-and-run by a motor vehicle. Kossuth County Sheriff Kevin Van Otterloo says 18-year-old Nick Simmons of Burt and 17-year-old Delayne Peterson of Burt have been charged with vehicular homicide…a class “D” felony; and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death of an individual…an aggravated misdemeanor. County Attorney Todd Holme says a charge of vehicular homicide reflects an unitentional cause of death by someone using a motor vehicle. In this case, Holme says alcohol was the factor.
Van Otterloo says there was a New Year’s Eve party taking place at the farm residence where Preston was hit by the car.
Simmons is being held in the Kossuth county jail on a 37-thousand dollar bond; Peterson was in the Kossuth county jail waiting to be transported to the Youth Services Center in Cherokee. His case is currently being handled by juvenile authorities. Holmes says he intends to get it moved to adult court as Peterson turns 18 in May.
Van Otterloo says additional charges involving alcohol being served at the farm place could be filed within the next couple of weeks.
