APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A motorist who thought the oncoming traffic was too close to the center line “moved over to far,” lost control of the vehicle on the shoulder, causing it to roll and kill one of his passengers, his cousin, is charged, according to a criminal complaint.
Jarid Hermann, 20, is charged with homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle, and reckless driving causing great bodily harm for the Oct. 20, 2023 crash. He returns to court Nov. 12 for a preliminary hearing, court records show.
Although the crash happened more than a year ago, the charges were filed on Oct. 31 of this year. Bond was set at $20,000 cash at a hearing Tuesday.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene on State Highway 187, north of Schinke Road, at about 10 p.m. Upon arrival, they found a pickup truck overturned on the road. The victim was pinned under the truck, and died.
Hermann told police he, a friend, and his cousin had been drinking, and were out shining deer, and were headed home. Hermann said he had two beers.
“Jarid stated that while traveling south on HY 187 he moved over for oncoming vehicles. Jarid said that he felt oncoming vehicles were traveling close to the center line so he moved to the west side of his designated lane. Jarid stated his tires hit the gravel on the west side of the road, and that he “moved over to far” and tried to correct his actions and ended up overcorrecting. The truck then rolled into the west ditch and ended up with the driver side of the truck on the ground,” the complaint states.
A blood test showed Hermann’s BAC was .032, which is under the legal limit – although Hermann is underage. He was issued citations for violation of the absolute sobriety law, and failing to keep a vehicle under control. A pre-trial conference is set for Jan. 10, court records show.
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