February 17, 2021 at 4:40 p.m.
Three Lakes man charged in accident that killed his father
Three Lakes man charged in accident that killed his father
Samuel A. Steinhaus was charged Monday with OWI 3rd offense, homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle while having prior intoxicant-related conviction/revocation, knowingly operating a motor vehicle while revoked (causing the death of another) and failure to install ignition interlock device.
The homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 40 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison, as Steinhaus has a prior intoxicant-related conviction/revocation.
According to the report of Three Lakes police officer Brandon Van Natta, which was attached to the criminal complaint, the Oneida County 9-1-1- dispatch center received a call at approximately 9:30 p.m. Feb. 12 reporting that a person had been run over by a truck. Upon arriving on scene - Highway X near the intersection with Medicine Lake Lodge Road - Van Natta determined that the pedestrian, later identified as George E. Steinhaus, 59, Three Lakes, was not breathing and did not have a pulse.
According to the report, Samuel Steinhaus admitted to Van Natta that his truck had struck his father as it was being pulled out of the ditch by another vehicle driven by a family member.
The family member who was driving the other vehicle told Van Natta that Samuel Steinhaus's vehicle suddenly accelerated backward as they were trying to pull it from the ditch.
Van Natta wrote in his report that he noticed the odor of intoxicants coming from Steinhaus and other signs he was under the influence of alcohol. The report also states Steinhaus performed poorly on the field sobriety tests administered at the Three Lakes Police Department. He was then taken to Ascension St. Mary's Hospital for a voluntary blood draw. He was taken to jail and released on a $2,500 cash bond set by Judge Patrick O'Melia.
Steinhaus made his initial appearance on the charges Monday afternoon at which time O'Melia scheduled the preliminary hearing for March 24. There are two traffic citations tracking along with the felony case.
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
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