Boone man charged with vehicular homicide in December crash that killed one

A Boone man has been charged after a deadly December crash in Dallas County.

Gary Bugger was arrested on Saturday, May 10 in Boone for vehicular homicide and operating under the influence for a fatal collision on Highway 141.

At about 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2023, Bugger was headed westbound on Highway 141 near Dawson. According to the criminal complaint, he allegedly attempted to make a left turn onto C Avenue without yielding to oncoming traffic and struck Beattie, who was headed eastbound on a motorcycle. The police report said Beattie, who was a resident of Audubon, was thrown into the ditch where he passed away.

Bugger admitted to "smoking methamphetamines earlier in the day," according to the criminal complaint and meth was allegedly found in his backup in the cab of the truck. Bugger's blood was tested after the crash, which came back positive for methamphetamines.

Family of deceased victim files petition

The family estate of the deceased crash victim, Daniel Beattie, filed a petition in February out of Polk County. The petition seeks out Bugger and Construction Materials Testing, Inc. (Bugger's employer) for loss of companionship and damages.

The petition claims Bugger was “acting within the course and scope of his employment with CMT” in a CMT vehicle, accusing Bugger of being on the clock when the accident occurred.

Bugger's preliminary hearing for the vehicular homicide charge is scheduled for May 20. The trial for loss of companionship and damages will take place in October 2025.

Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.