A Davenport man is facing multiple charges, including homicide, after a vehicle was recovered from the Mississippi River.
On Thursday, April 21, 2022 at approximately 11:01 p.m. Muscatine County Joint Communications (MUSCOM) received a call of a disturbance at Fairport Rec Area, 3284 Highway 22, Muscatine. A deputy responded to the area but was unable to locate anything at the time.
On Friday, April 22, 2022 at approximately 12:06 a.m., a female called MUSCOM to report an adult male was missing from Fairport Rec Area. Deputies responded and determined this was related to the earlier call.
At approximately 12:23 a.m. a Montpelier resident contacted MUSCOM to report a male had shown up at their residence. Deputies responded and identified the male as 36-year-old, Joshua Scott Peters.
It was determined through the investigation Peters was operating the aforementioned vehicle with the missing adult male inside and an accident had occurred.
A crash location was identified by deputies and based on the information obtained, Muscatine County Search and Rescue was called to assist Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office personnel.
Muscatine County Search and Rescue located the vehicle just south of the boat ramp at Clarks Ferry Recreational Area in Montpelier submerged in the Mississippi. The vehicle was recovered and an adult male was found, deceased, inside the vehicle.
As a result of the investigation, Peters has been arrested and charged with the following:
- Homicide by Vehicle – Iowa Code 707.6A(1) – Class “B” Felony
- Death or Personal Injuries – Iowa Code 321.261(4)(a) – Class “D” Felony
- Theft 1st Degree – Iowa Code 714.2(1) – Class “C” felony
- Driving While Barred – Iowa Code 321.561
Peters is being held in Muscatine County Jail on a $500,000 cash only bond.
The Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Muscatine County Search and Rescue, Muscatine County Medical Examiner’s Office, Iowa State Patrol and Midtown Towing.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.