The Iowa State Patrol has formally charged a Harcourt man for allegedly causing a fatal crash about one year ago in Greene County.

According to court documents, 26-year-old Troy Shaw faces misdemeanor charges of his first offense for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as traffic violations including: failure to stop in assured clear distance, failure to maintain control and use of electronic communication device.

The charges stem from a crash on June 6, 2017, on County Road E-18, east of X Avenue. According to a crash report from the Iowa State Patrol, a 1996 freight semi-tractor trailer was following a 1965 International Farmall tractor, while heading east on E-18, when the semi rear-ended the tractor. Both vehicles went toward the north ditch and the tractor rolled onto the driver, 47-year-old Pat Fields of Paton. Fields was pronounced dead at the scene.

Court documents show that two state troopers took an inventory of the semi tractor before it was towed and recovered several drug-related items. The items tested positive for heroin. Cell phone records were also obtained and it was found that Shaw was sending and receiving texts prior to the crash.

Shaw was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail and was released after posting bond. He initially pled not guilty to all charges. His pre-trial hearing is scheduled for June 27th. Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.