A Waterloo man who hit a bicyclist while driving drunk has been sentenced to up to 14 years in prison, according to the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. 46 year old L.A. Jefferson Jr. initially pleaded guilty to Homicide by Vehicle, second offense Operating While Intoxicated and Leaving the Scene. He then attempted to take back that plea. He argued in court that speed was not a factor and that 22 year old Dilail Salkic rode his bike into his vehicle, was on meth and died of strangulation. Jefferson said his studies in bartending made him an expert on this topic. The court disagreed, finding that Jefferson was traveling at twice the posted 30mph speed limit and that he had a blood alcohol content level between .246 and .321. After hitting Salkic, Jefferson drove for another block, parked, and walked away. Police would later find him at a bar on La Porte Road where he had consumed at least two more beers. In his sentencing Judge Joel Dalrymple said, “I say often at the time of sentencing…the court taks no pleasure in sending someone to prison. I can’t say that in this case. …If I could impose more, I would.”
