Vicky Fesing appears before Calumet County court via Zoom, March 6, 2026. (Calumet County court/Zoom)
CHILTON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The suspect in a double-fatal drunk driving crash pleaded not guilty Friday from a medical facility, where she has been hospitalized since the March 5, 2025, crash.
Chilton OWI crash suspect pleads not guilty from rehab facility in first court appearance, 58, faces two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle and two counts of homicide by use of a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration for the crash which killed Ronald and Nancy Woelfel.
Although the crash happened one year and one day ago, and charges were filed in August, Friday marked the first court appearance for Fesing. She appeared by video on her attorney’s phone from a rehabilitation facility in Waterford.
District Attorney Nathan Haberman said he would normally ask for a high cash bond, but given Fesing’s medical treatment needs, and limited ability of the jail to meet those, he asked for a $250,000 signature bond instead.
Jessica Tellier, the youngest daughter of the Woelfel’s, showed her parents picture in court while urging Judge Carey Reed to keep close tabs on Fesing’s health and whereabouts.
Judge Reed set the signature bond as requested, and ordered Fesing to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet.
In terms of the proceedings, Fesing also waived her preliminary hearing before entering the not guilty pleas. She returns to court April 10 for a status conference.
According to the complaint, emergency crews responded to Highway 57 and Shade Lane Drive for a two vehicle, head-on crash March 5, 2025. Fesing’s vehicle “was in the oncoming lane of travel and appeared to have crossed into the oncoming lane,” the complaint states.
A blood test on a sample taken at the hospital while Fesing was being treated for the crash revealed a blood alcohol level of .239 — nearly three times the legal limit of .08. A second test showed a BAC of .171, which is the level quoted in the charging portion of the complaint.
Witnesses told police Fesing had six drinks, including mixed drinks and shots. The only food she had was popcorn. She left the bar less than 15 minutes before the crash, according to the complaint.
The complaint contains no statements from Fesing, but a relative told police she had been having mental health and coping issues, particularly due to the deaths of her husband and father.
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