Motorist involved in fatal bicycle collision facing misdemeanor

A Glenwood man involved in a collision on U.S. Highway 34 in western Mills County last summer that claimed the life of a Florida bicyclist will not face criminal charges following a lengthy investigation by the Iowa State Patrol.

Mills County Attorney Naeda Elliott announced last week that Robb William Philippus, 34, of Glenwood has been charged with “Actions Against Bicyclists,” a simple misdemeanor.

“There is insufficient evidence to support additional criminal charges,” Elliott said  in a written statement released Tuesday, Jan. 31.

The fatal collision occurred  July 24 at 6:40 a.m. between mile markers 2 and 3 on the travel portion of the westbound lane of Highway 34 east of the Missouri River bridge.

Bicyclist Wayne L. Ezell, 72, of Jacksonville, Fla., was traveling west with another bicyclist when he was struck from behind by a 2012 GMC pickup truck driven by Philippus.

Ezell was among more than 10,000 bicyclists in the Glenwood area for the start of RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa). The location of the collision was not on the designated RAGBRAI route, but investigators believe Ezell may have been heading west to do the traditional RAGBRAI tire dip in the Missouri River.

Philippus immediately pulled off on the shoulder of the road following the collision. After calling 911, he rendered aid to Ezell before rescue workers arrived on the scene. Ezell died at the scene of the collision.

Elliott said the Iowa State Patrol conducted a thorough “technical” investigation and found no evidence of Philippus being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.

If found guilty of the misdemeanor, Philippus faces a fine of up to $625 and up to 30 days in the Mills County Jail.