On January 6, 2012, OTV reported that Shiro Edward Remeliik, a Palauan living in Iowa State, was in custody following a drunken driving accident on December 29, 2011 where the passenger was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
Nearly a year later, Remeliik pled guilty to vehicular homicide at the Marshall County Courthouse in Iowa.
Remeliik was driving a black Kia, belonging to the passenger, when he rammed the car into a tree at somewhere between 50-90 mph. Gabriel Speas, the passenger, was Remeliik’s best friend.
Remeliik’s blood-alcohol content at the time of the crash exceeded the legal limit. At the time of the accident, Remeliik was already on probation for other alcohol-related assaults.
Remeliik said very little in the courtroom at the time of his guilty plea. The victim’s mother, Diane Speas, made a victim impact statement saying she forgives Remeliik for his crime and thanked him for accepting responsibility.
The charge in this case, by law, mandates a prison sentence. The Judge ordered that Remeliik’s sentences in his other alcohol related cases be served consecutively ensuring that Remeliik would not serve more than 25 years in prison.
Remeliik may not appeal the sentence.
Remeliik must also, at his own expense, complete a drinking and driving course, submit to alcohol treatment, reimburse the state for its time, and pay $150,000 in restitution to the victim’s family.