Covel charged with homicide, manslaughter in March accident

     Charges have now come forth in a case stemming from March 8 when 8-year-old Cassandra Rieken of Monticello was struck by a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan S. Cedar Street as she was riding her tricycle. Rieken lost her life that day.

     April Rebekah Covel, 36, of Monticello is being charged with homicide by vehicle-operating under the influence and involuntary manslaughter, both felony charges. She was further charged with driving while license under suspension, improper performance ability of motor vehicle brakes, violation of Iowa Code 321 resulting in death, windshield/window requirements, no insurance, defective tires, and driving unsafe vehicle, traffic offenses and simple misdemeanors.

     On March 8, at approximately 4:33 p.m., Rieken was eastbound on W. Washington Street approaching the intersection of W. Washington Street and S. Cedar Street. Covel was traveling southbound on S. Cedar Street approaching the intersection as well. Rieken proceeded through the intersection into Covel’s path and was broadsided on the left, causing the fatality.

     After the toxicology results from a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) were released, it was determined that Covel was under the influence of a controlled substance, and operating under the influence of that drug.

     A preliminary hearing stemming from all of the above charges was set for Nov. 27 at 8:30 a.m.

     Covel was released on a $30,000 cash bond in the felony cases only. She was released without bond on the related charges.

     Rieken is the daughter of Mark and Christine Rieken of Monticello.