Guilty verdict in hit-and-run death

A Scott County jury found 24-year-old Matthew K. Hartley of Farmington guilty Friday, Feb. 24, of three counts of vehicular manslaughter in the death of a New Prague High School graduate last September. 

Hartley was driving a motorcycle that struck and killed Mollie Mahowald, 24, of Lakeville in the early morning hours of September 25 in Elko New Market. The three counts were for gross negligence, being under the influence of alchocol and leaving the scene of an accident. 

Hartley had a revoked driver’s license at the time of the crash and was convicted of another DWI charge in July, 2016. He has another DWI charge pending.  

After graduating from high school Mahowald served in the U.S. Army, serving tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. After leaving the army, she joined the National Guard and worked in a veterinarian’s office. She was studying to be a veterinary technician. 

Sentencing is scheduled for May 10 in Scott County District Court.