Driver convicted for fatally striking tow truck driver while intoxicated

A truck driver was convicted of the 2023 death of a tow truck driver in Iowa on Monday. 

55-year-old Dmytro Prysich was found guilty of vehicular homicide while under the influence in Polk County, Iowa on October 14th. He was acquitted of leaving the scene of an accident causing death. 

According to WHO13, Prysich was operating his semi truck near the 86th Street exit on Interstate 80 in Urbandale on November 12th, 2023 when he struck 45-year-old tow truck driver Joshua Villa as he was loading a vehicle onto his tow truck. Prysich then left the scene. 

When police caught up to Prysich, he told them that he had kept driving because he thought he had just hit a “bird.” Police took him into custody and blood tests revealed that he had a blood alcohol level of .196. 

Prysich is facing 25 years in prison. He is scheduled for sentencing on December 10th.