URBANDALE, IOWA | COURTS | November 7, 2026
Quick Take
- Polk County District Associate Judge Lynn Poschner, 45, faces felony charges after a September crash that killed one pedestrian and badly injured another.
- Court documents say she told police she was looking down at her phone and did not see the two people crossing the street.
- She was arrested one day after voters retained her for another six-year term, and her cases are being reassigned.
What’s happening?
Urbandale police have charged a sitting Polk County judge in a crash that killed a 60-year-old woman. Lynn Cottrell Poschner faces two charges: homicide by vehicle involving reckless driving, a Class C felony, and serious injury by vehicle involving reckless driving, a Class D felony.
According to a criminal complaint, Poschner told officers she was using her phone and looking down at the screen just before her SUV hit two pedestrians. Police say a forensic exam of the phone found the screen was unlocked just before the crash.
These are charges, not findings of guilt. Like any defendant, Poschner is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Where and when?
The crash happened on September 25, 2026, in the 4300 block of 86th Street, north of Aurora Avenue. Police say two people were crossing 86th Street when a northbound 2016 Honda CR-V hit them. The driver was not hurt and stayed at the scene.
On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, nearly 69% of voters approved keeping Poschner on the bench, according to unofficial results. She was booked into the Polk County Jail on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, and later released after posting a $15,000 cash bond. Police did not respond to questions about the timing of the arrest.
Who feels it most?
The pedestrian who died was Jasmira Kadic, 60, of Urbandale. Both pedestrians were taken to a hospital in critical condition, and Kadic later died. Officials have not shared an update on the second victim.
The arrest also affects families with cases in Polk County juvenile court, where Poschner hears cases. The Iowa Judicial Branch says she is taking time off and her pending cases are being reassigned to other judges. She has served as a district associate judge since 2018.
What should you do?
If you have a pending juvenile court case that was before Judge Poschner, check with your attorney or the Polk County clerk of court for the new hearing details and the judge assigned to your case.
For drivers, the case is a reminder that a few seconds of looking at a screen can be deadly. Under Iowa law, drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and handheld phone use while driving is banned.
What comes next?
The criminal case will move through the Polk County courts. Because a sitting judge is the defendant, the case may be heard by a judge from outside the district.
Separately, Iowa’s Judicial Qualifications Commission reviews complaints against judges and can suspend a judge while it investigates. It can also send matters to the Iowa Supreme Court, which has the power to formally discipline judges.
By the Numbers
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Crash date | September 25, 2026 |
| Pedestrians struck | 2 |
| Retention vote approval | About 69% |
| Cash bond | $15,000 |
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