DeJoodes Talk About Loss of Children in Accident, Delay in Trial

The Ankeny parents of two young children killed in a car accident nearly two years ago gave their first joint interview this week to KCCI-TV, talking about the comfort they gained from knowing the children's donated organs saved others.

Police say Kevin Dalasta, 48, was leaving a 10-hour shift at Tones Spices in Ankeny on May 6, 2010, when he drove through a stop sign at Southeast Tones Drive and Southeast Creekview Drive, according to the Des Moines Register. Dalasta’s truck struck a van driven by Heather DeJoode, then 35.

The crash killed Carson DeJoode, 5, and Claire DeJoode, 5 months, while seriously injuring their mother. Chase DeJoode, 3, suffered minor injuries to his ankle and neck, the Register said.

Heather DeJoode and her husband, Troy, told KCCI this week that because Heather was in a coma for a month following the accident, Troy had to make family decisions following the crash on his own. That included donating Carson and Claire's organs, which saved other children.

While Heather supports his decision, Troy told KCCI's Amanda Lewis, she can't talk about that process.

A message left for the DeJoodes seeking comment was not immediately returned.

Polk County court papers say Dalasta, who had been scheduled to stand trial this week on two charges of vehicular homicide and two of serious injury by vehicle, instead will instead be in court July 16 at the earliest, reported the Register. Documents say Dalasta was scheduled for brain surgery on March 9 “related to treatment for his epileptic condition” and is expected to be “recuperating and incapacitated to the extent that he will be unable to assist in his defense for three to four months.”

A backup trial date of Sept. 4 has been set if Dalasta remains too weak for court in July, according to the Register.