Officials in Marshall County have arrested and charged an Alabama man with vehicular homicide in connection with a fatal traffic accident that occurred in Marshalltown in early January.

Sixty-three-year-old Richard Lawson of Lanett, Alabama was arrested by authorities on a warrant that was issued Friday.

According to a police report, Lawson was driving northbound on Highway 14 at a high rate of speed on January 3rd when he collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Southridge Road.

A passenger in Lawson’s vehicle, Linda Barcott, also of Alabama, died at Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines on February 6th as a result of injuries suffered in the crash.

An investigation revealed that Lawson did not have a valid driver’s license or financial responsibility insurance.  A blood test further revealed that Lawson was under the influence of drugs at the time of the accident.

Lawson is currently being held on $25,000 bond.  He’s scheduled to undergo a preliminary hearing in Marshall County on April 29th.