The court case stemming from a fatal accident on U.S. Highway 41 last summer is being delayed while the defense prepares its own report reconstructing the accident.
Austin Scott Laakonen, 21, Oconto, is charged with homicide by use of a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, homicide by negligent operation of a motor vehicle and misdemeanor possession of THC, in connection with the crash June 30 just south of County Road W in the Town of Little River.
The passenger on Laakonen’s motorcycle, Aubrey Williams, 19, also of Oconto, died of her injuries shortly after being taken to a hospital in Green Bay.
The criminal complaint filed Feb. 21 indicates that Laakonen was northbound on Highway 41 and began to pull into the left lane just as an SUV came up from behind, and the larger vehicle clipped the motorcycle with its right front fender. Both riders were thrown onto the pavement.
As is standard in the case of a fatal accident, a blood draw was taken from Laakonen but showed no evidence of alcohol use, according to the complaint. Test results that did not arrive until Jan. 18 indicated the presence of THC in his system.
Judge Michael Judge set a $25,000 signature bond during Laakonen’s initial appearance April 24 in Oconto County Circuit Court.
A motion hearing and preliminary hearing of the charges were scheduled May 7, but before the open session Judge met in chambers with attorneys for both sides for about 15 minutes, and then Assistant District Attorney Richard Zoellner met outside the courtroom with Williams’ family and Victim Witness Coordinator Rachael Race.
Once on the record, Judge said that in preparing for the motion hearing he became aware that defense attorney Jonas Bednarek has commissioned his own accident reconstruction report to supplement the Wisconsin State Patrol report that was used in preparing the criminal charges.
“The court, to determine whether or not there’s probable cause based upon the motion filed by the defense, obviously has to have both reports,” Judge said.
The defense report is expected to be completed by Aug. 1, so Judge postponed the motion hearing until 1 p.m. Aug. 19. He ordered that any briefs in support of motions be filed with the court by Aug. 10.
wbluhm@newmedia-wi.com
