An Edgewood Woman Charged in a Fatal UTV Accident has Case Dissmissed

The case involving an Edgewood woman charged in a fatal UTV has been dismissed. 30-year old Hanna Meese was charged in connection with the May 2^nd, 2021 crash. Meese lost control of the UTV and was ejected from the vehicle along a passenger, 32-year old Jordan G. Cabalka of Edgewood, who died at the scene. Meese sustained serious injuries. Court documents say that Meese had a blood alcohol content more than twice the legal limit. In late 2024, Meese pleaded guilty to a lesser Class C felony of homicide or serious injury by vehicle. Although a plea deal initially proposed probation, a judge rejected that arrangement and sentenced her to 10 years in prison. An appellate review ruled that the sentencing judge overstepped and demonstrated bias during the process. As a result, her 10-year prison sentence was vacated, her guilty plea was set aside, and she was granted a new trial. Following the ordered retrial, Judge Bitter ultimately dismissed the legal case entirely.