North Iowa Man Sentenced in 2025 Vehicle Crash that Killed 16-Year-Old

A North Iowa man has been sentenced to over a decade in prison for his role in a fatal single-vehicle crash in Worth County last year in which a 16-year-old passenger died. 

The Iowa State Patrol arrested 22-year-old Blair Hansen of Saint Ansgar after he was accused of driving under the influence at 25 miles per hour over the posted limit prior to a crash along 410th Street, just east of Killdeer Avenue, on March 1, 2025.. Hansen lost control of the vehicle, which collided with a power pole. 16-year-old Ayden Steele of St. Ansgar, a passenger in the vehicle, was killed as a result of the accident, about 10 miles southwest of Northwood.

Hansen was originally charged with vehicular homicide while operating under the influence, a Class B felony; and vehicular homicide by reckless driving, a Class C felony.

In June, as part of a plea agreement, Hansen pleaded guilty in Worth County District Court to vehicular homicide by reckless driving and OWI, a serious misdemeanor.

On Monday (07.20), District Judge Greg Rosenbladt agreed with the prosecution and defense recommendations and sentenced Hansen to 10 years in prison on the vehicular homicide charge and one year on the OWI charge. The sentences will run consecutively, meaning Hansen could serve up to a total of 11 years in prison.