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State of Iowa v. Lonnie Ray Hayes
Date: 08-25-2025
Case Number:
Judge: David Porter
Court: District Court, Polk County, Iowa
Plaintiff's Attorney: Polk County, Iowa, District Attorney's Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Des Mones Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory
Description:
Des Moines, iowa, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with vehicular homicide while intoxicate.
Lonnie Ray Hayes of Des Moines had previously admitted to causing the Dec. 23, 2023, accident that killed Roberto Eduardo Rodriguez-Peterson, 35, of Des Moines. Mr. Hayes said he was high on marijuana when he was traveling more than 70 mph on East 14th Street and collided with Mr. Rodriguez-Peterson's car. Mr. Hayes was 17 at the time of the accident and turns 19 this week.
On Oct. 23, 2024, he pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide by operating while intoxicated. "I'm still here and he isn't, because of me,†Mr. Hayes said at the time. "I never thought I'd take somebody's life.â€
District Judge David Nelmark suspended his sentence and placed him on four years of probation, as well as ordering him to complete mental health and substance use screenings. The judge cited the defendant's age and said he deserved a second chance. "If you don't take advantage of this opportunity, you will end up behind bars,†Judge Nelmark told Mr. Hayes.
Mr. Hayes was arrested again on March 12, 2025, and charged with 2nd-offense OWI and two counts of eluding police. He pleaded guilty to the charges in June.
On Monday, District Judge David Porter revoked Mr. Hayes' probation, meaning he must serve up to 25 years in prison on the original charge. He also sentenced him to concurrent five-year sentences on the eluding charges and two years on the OWI, for a total of 32 years in prison.
As part of his original sentence, Mr. Hayes must pay $150,000 to the estate of the victim.
Mr. Rodriguez-Peterson had worked for the U.S. Committee for Refugees & Immigrants, the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, and Iowa Workforce Development. His mother, Dawn Peterson, said her son was known for taking care of people. "That's exactly what he was doing the night you took his life. He was picking up tamales to bring to friends,†she told the defendant at his original sentencing hearing in October.
Ms. Peterson urged Mr. Hayes to take steps to change his life and "spend time serving the community in way important to Roberto,†such as caring for animals or people with mental illness.
Assistant County Attorney Jaki Livingston prosecuted the cases, with assistance from Chelsey Wilson and Laurie Bence. Officers Jason Hemsted and Rogelio Apolonio investigated the cases.
Lonnie Ray Hayes of Des Moines had previously admitted to causing the Dec. 23, 2023, accident that killed Roberto Eduardo Rodriguez-Peterson, 35, of Des Moines. Mr. Hayes said he was high on marijuana when he was traveling more than 70 mph on East 14th Street and collided with Mr. Rodriguez-Peterson's car. Mr. Hayes was 17 at the time of the accident and turns 19 this week.
On Oct. 23, 2024, he pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide by operating while intoxicated. "I'm still here and he isn't, because of me,†Mr. Hayes said at the time. "I never thought I'd take somebody's life.â€
District Judge David Nelmark suspended his sentence and placed him on four years of probation, as well as ordering him to complete mental health and substance use screenings. The judge cited the defendant's age and said he deserved a second chance. "If you don't take advantage of this opportunity, you will end up behind bars,†Judge Nelmark told Mr. Hayes.
Mr. Hayes was arrested again on March 12, 2025, and charged with 2nd-offense OWI and two counts of eluding police. He pleaded guilty to the charges in June.
On Monday, District Judge David Porter revoked Mr. Hayes' probation, meaning he must serve up to 25 years in prison on the original charge. He also sentenced him to concurrent five-year sentences on the eluding charges and two years on the OWI, for a total of 32 years in prison.
As part of his original sentence, Mr. Hayes must pay $150,000 to the estate of the victim.
Mr. Rodriguez-Peterson had worked for the U.S. Committee for Refugees & Immigrants, the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, and Iowa Workforce Development. His mother, Dawn Peterson, said her son was known for taking care of people. "That's exactly what he was doing the night you took his life. He was picking up tamales to bring to friends,†she told the defendant at his original sentencing hearing in October.
Ms. Peterson urged Mr. Hayes to take steps to change his life and "spend time serving the community in way important to Roberto,†such as caring for animals or people with mental illness.
Assistant County Attorney Jaki Livingston prosecuted the cases, with assistance from Chelsey Wilson and Laurie Bence. Officers Jason Hemsted and Rogelio Apolonio investigated the cases.
Outcome:
The Defendant was sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of State of Iowa v. Lonnie Ray Hayes?
The outcome was: The Defendant was sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Which court heard State of Iowa v. Lonnie Ray Hayes?
This case was heard in District Court, Polk County, Iowa, IA. The presiding judge was David Porter.
Who were the attorneys in State of Iowa v. Lonnie Ray Hayes?
Plaintiff's attorney: Polk County, Iowa, District Attorney's Office. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Des Mones Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory.
When was State of Iowa v. Lonnie Ray Hayes decided?
This case was decided on August 25, 2025.