West Des Moines Police Department: Update: West Des Moines Police Make Arrest In Pedestrian Death On I-35 NB & Mills Civic Parkway

Press release from the West Des Moines Police Department:

05/25/2021 8:40 AM

On Sunday, May 9th at approximately 11:50am, officers with the West Des Moines Police Department were dispatched to I-35 NB at the 70.5 MM (Just north of Mills Civic Parkway).  A passerby located what appeared to be a deceased person just off the shoulder of the roadway.  Emergency crews responded to the scene and located a deceased female later identified as Stephanie Waddell, 38 of Oskaloosa, IA.  West Des Moines Police Detectives immediately initiated an investigation into the incident and determined Waddell had been stuck by a motor vehicle during the overnight hours of May 8th into May 9th while walking along the interstate. 

West Des Moines Police Detectives, along with the West Des Moines Traffic Investigative Unit and crime scene technicians conducted a diligent and thorough investigation eventually identifying a suspect in the case.  On Monday, May 24th at approximately 10:30pm, Frank Davidson, 19 of Earlham, Iowa was arrested and charged with (homicide by motor vehicle - while under the influence), (homicide by motor vehicle – reckless driving), and (leaving the scene of an accident - resulting in death.)  Davidson was booked into the Polk County Jail on the charges.

*A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This press release was produced by the West Des Moines Police Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.