Erie man charged with aggravated DUI in death of 76-year-old woman

MORRISON – An Erie man accused of driving under the influence of various drugs is facing 3 to 14 years in prison in the Sept. 6 death of an Erie woman north of the village.

Nathanial D. “Nathan” Bearsley, 36, was driving under the influence of marijuana and/or one or some combination of Alprazolam, fentanyl, methadone and Tramadol when he crossed the center line on Albany Road near Burns Road around 6:45 p.m. and collided head-on with the vehicle driven by Joyce M. Kaecker, 76, prosecutors say.

Kaecker died at the scene. Bearsley was airlifted to an Iowa City Hospital, charged at the time with improper lane usage.

In the wake of the investigation, Bearsley now is charged in Whiteside County Court with four counts of aggravated driving under the influence, all of which carry the enhanced penalty of a minimum 3 to 14 years in prison, as well as improper lane usage.

He is free, and has an initial court appearance scheduled for Aug. 20.

Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, fentanyl is an opiod used for pain relief, methadone is a drug used for pain relief and treatment of drug addiction, and Tramadol is a pain medicine similar to an opioid.

Bearsley was sentenced in Whiteside County in July 2005 to 8 years in prison for possession of more than 15 but less than 100 grams of methamphetamine with intent to deliver; a charge of improper transportation of anhydrous ammonia was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.