Chief Dana Wingert

Press Release
_________________________________________________________________________________________

For immediate release

08 November 2019

Contact: Sergeant Paul Parizek
Public Information Officer
Police Department
(515)720-4043
pjparizek@dmgov.org

On 08 November 2019, at approximately 2:13 a.m., Des Moines Police Department patrol officers
responded to investigate a report of a single vehicle serious car crash on eastbound I-235 at Easton
Boulevard.
Officers arrived to find one vehicle extensively damaged. The male driver of that vehicle died at
the scene.
At this time, eastbound I-235 is reduced to one lane at the scene of the crash. It is expected to be
fully open within two hours.
The Des Moines Police Department Traffic Unit is investigating this crash. Preliminary indications
are that excessive speed is a major contributing factor to this crash.
Additional information will be shared as it becomes available to release. The next scheduled
update will be at 11:00 a.m., 08 November 2019.
UPDATE: 08 November 2019, 11:00 a.m.
The person killed in this crash is 22 year old Des Moines resident Dimitrious Galvan.
Evidence indicates that Galvan was driving a 2000 Honda Civic at an extremely high rate of speed,
accompanied by another vehicle, eastbound on I-235 at Easton Boulevard when he lost control.
The Honda spun out of control, began to roll, and stopped as it crashed into the sound barrier wall
along the Easton Boulevard entrance ramp to eastbound I-235.

 During the crash, Galvan was ejected from the vehicle and vaulted over the sound barrier wall,
landing in a yard in the 1400 block of E. 22nd Street. Galvan died at the scene.
The driver of the second vehicle, a 23 year old male Des Moines resident, has been interviewed by
Traffic Unit investigators. At this time, no charges have been filed.
At this time, excessive speed and failure to maintain control appear to be the significant
contributing factors to this crash. Impairment has not been ruled out. Toxicology testing is
pending.
The Des Moines Police Department Traffic Unit continues the technical investigation of this crash.
Additional information will be shared as it becomes available to release.
UPDATE: 05 December 2019, 8:00 p.m.
In connection with this crash, Des Moines Police Department Traffic Unit officers have charged 23
yr old Des Moines resident Devin Russell Smith with one count of Homicide By Vehicle – Drag
Racing, a class D felony.
The investigation found that as Galvan and Smith entered I-235 eastbound, Galvan sped up on I235 and Smith also sped up in an apparent exhibition of speed or speed contest. Galvan and
Smith's vehicles reached speeds over 100 mph as they continued to move eastbound on I-235 in
close proximity to each other. As both cars traversed a curve on I-235 at Easton Blvd, Galvan's
vehicle lost control subsequently crashing near the on ramp from Easton Blvd. Galvan was thrown
from the Honda and died from his injuries at the accident scene.
The investigation continues as investigators await toxicology results.
Additional information will be shared as it becomes available to release.
Sgt. Paul Parizek

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