Jeffrey Wolfe is charged with homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle for a fatal crash in Appleton on Interstate 41. (Photo courtesy Outagamie County Sheriff's Office)
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Jeffrey Wolfe was sentenced Monday to three years in prison for the distracted driving crash on I-41 which killed Tim Jennings.
Wolfe, 57, was previously convicted of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle, and reckless driving causing great bodily harm, for the Nov. 20, 2022, crash.
He was also placed on extended supervision for five years, and then probation for three years by Judge Mark Schroeder. During extended supervision and probation, Wolfe is barred from driving or operating a vehicle. He must pay $24,200 in restitution.
Before the sentence was issued, Wolfe apologized.
“I’m so sorry that this happened. I wish I could take it back. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t have nightmares. I feel for the family, and a daughter who’s never going to have what I’ve gotten to have. And there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t wish it was me instead of her father,” Wolfe said.
According to the criminal complaint, police were called to the scene about 4:15 p.m. Multiple vehicles were involved in the crash.
“Wolfe admitted he looked away from the road to answer a question his wife, who was the front passenger, had asked him. Wolfe stated she yelled for him to stop when she noticed traffic was at a halt. Wolfe stated he also had a glare in his eyes from the sun. Wolfe stated he was traveling at approximately 70mph. Trooper Boettner reported Wolfe spent a significant amount of time not paying attention to driving failing to slow for the stopped traffic backup and for a State Patrol squad providing advance warning in the median ahead. Wolfe crashed at highway speed without braking until impact,” the complaint states.
Jennings was killed and his daughter was injured in the crash.
Although the crash was in November 2022, charges were filed on Nov. 30, 2023.
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