Grand River Man Sentenced Up to 12 Years for Fatal Hit-and-Run Involving Horse and Buggy
MURRAY, IA—A Grand River man was sentenced to up to 12 years in prison for a hit-and-run crash that killed a 17-year-old on March 26.
Jacob Wright, 41, was involved in the fatal incident on November 12, 2025, when he rear-ended a horse-drawn buggy operated by Elmer Borntrager near Murray. Borntrager was thrown from the buggy into a ditch and sustained fatal injuries.
Authorities reported that Wright left the scene without notifying law enforcement. He was later arrested after police identified his vehicle, which had damage consistent with debris from the crash. Witnesses indicated that he had mentioned hitting a buggy.
Wright faced charges of leaving the scene of a fatal crash, involuntary manslaughter, and failure to assist. He ultimately pleaded guilty to leaving the scene and failure to assist, with the manslaughter charge dismissed as part of a plea agreement. The court sentenced him to serve two consecutive terms of 10 and two years.
Wright's attorney was unavailable for comment.