Death of Car Crash Victim Ruled Homicide

By Jeff Raasch

Tools

By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Oct 20, 2009 at 10:15 AM CST

Story Updated: Oct 20, 2009 at 11:06 AM CST

GARRISON - The death of Dysart woman killed in a car crash earlier this month near Garrison has been ruled a homicide.

Stephanie Dripps, 36, died by homicide caused by “multi-system trauma caused by a motor vehicle accident,” according to Benton County Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Mark Dearden. She was a passenger in a car driven by Paul Lauritson, 42, of Hudson, who drove into the path of an oncoming sport-utility vehicle on 19th Avenue on Oct. 8.

Lauritson was also killed in the crash. Dearden said his death certificate has not been signed.

Dearden said he could not say more about why Dripps’ death was ruled a homicide.

“Law enforcement is doing their investigation,” Dearden said. “We had enough information that came with that conclusion for us.”

The Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating.

Three people in the oncoming SUV were injured. Driver Jennifer Engler, 40, of Garrison, and her two children, Halie, 10, and John, whose age was not listed but who was in a child safety seat, were taken to area hospitals for treatment.

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