DES MOINES, Iowa — The Polk County Attorney’s Office said a Grinnell man charged in the 2025 death of a Des Moines East High School student has pleaded guilty.
At a hearing held Wednesday morning, Kaelin Meinders, 23, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and OWI 2nd. The charges are linked to the death of Santiago Diaz Rhone II, 15, who was struck by Meinders’ motorcycle on September 20, 2025.
The incident took place in the 4900 block of NE 29th Street, where a group of people had gathered in a parking lot. The PCAO said evidence showed Meinders was going 60 miles per hour on the motorcycle and popping a wheelie when Diaz Rhone crossed the street and was struck.
Signs that Meinders was impaired were visible, according to investigators, and blood tests showed he had marijuana in his system at the time of the crash. Meinders also had possession of a handgun at the time…