There is a chance a former Waukesha man charged in a fatal 2022 UTV accident might face amended charges when his case goes to trial later this month.
Scot A. Haas, 55, who now lives in The Villages, Florida, was charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle and homicide by negligent operation of a motor vehicle, in connection with the incident that claimed the life of David Weinmann, 56, of West Chicago, Illinois. Haas is scheduled to stand trial April 9-11.
The crash was reported about 9:07 p.m. May 29, 2022, at the intersection of County Road T and Boulder Lake Lane in the Town of Doty.
Weinmann was ejected from the cargo portion of the UTV. Mountain Area Ambulance transported him to the Aspirus Langlade Hospital in Antigo, where he later died of his injuries.
During a final pre-trial conference March 28 before Oconto County Judge Michael Judge, District Attorney Hannah Schuchart said she planned to meet with the victim’s family April 1 to explain and seek their approval for filing amended charges.
“The victim in this case had an extremely high alcohol concentration,” Schuchart said. “I looked at the preliminary hearing transcript … and really what we’re boiling down to here is a statement about whether (Haas) told people to hold on as if he’s pulling out in kind of a reckless kind of way.”
Some witnesses have said Haas did not say anything about holding on, she said.
“We anticipate amending the charge from an OWI homicide to a negligent use or operation of the vehicle causing homicide,” Schuchart said. “I think that likely will fit the facts better.”
Judge said 25 jurors would be called, with prosecutors and defense each having six strikes to bring the jury to 13 people, including one alternate. He asked attorneys to arrive by 8:15 a.m. he first day of trial to allow for discussion of any last-minute issues.
Haas has been free pending the trial after posting $5,000 bail.
wbluhm@newmedia-wi.com
Trial set in fatal UTV accident
