May 24, 2021 at 11:14 a.m.
Lewis bound over for trial in Minocqua accident case
Lewis bound over for trial in Minocqua accident case
By River News Staff-
According to the criminal complaint, Lori Lewis was operating a small pickup truck on Pine Lake Road on the evening of June 16, 2020 when she lost control on a curve, causing the vehicle to first strike a large tree then roll over. Her passenger, a 69-year-old male, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Former Minocqua Police Department Det. Sgt. Matthew Tate was the lone witness called by district attorney Michael Schiek at the preliminary hearing.
Tate, who has since joined the Sauk County Sheriff's Department as a deputy sheriff, testified he was the first emergency responder to arrive at the scene of the accident. He testified he found a female, later identified as Lewis, lying by the driver's side of the truck, and the deceased male on the passenger side. Tate testified he checked for a pulse on the man's throat and wrist, but could not find one.
According to Tate's testimony, Lewis allegedly told him that as she was negotiating a curve, "I lost my brakes."
He testified that another MPD officer followed the ambulance carrying Lewis to Ascension Howard Young Hospital, and that he felt a blood draw was necessary because Tate smelled of intoxicants. A blood draw was conducted before she was airlifted to another hospital for treatment of her injuries.
According to the State Crime Lab, Lewis's blood alcohol concentration was 0.054 g/100mL. Her blood also showed the presence of Delta-9 THC in the amount of 2.1 ng/mL, he testified.
Under cross-examination by Lewis' public defender Breanna Magallones, Tate testified he did not check the condition of the brakes on the truck, but he believes the Wisconsin State Patrol did. He also testified he did not know what they found with the braking system.
Judge Michael Bloom ruled that the state had shown probable cause that a felony was committed by Lewis and bound her over for further proceedings. He then set a June 21 date for an arraignment.
In addition to the homicide by vehicle charge, Lewis is also charged with operating with a restricted controlled substance in blood (second offense).
If convicted of both charges, she faces up to 50 years in prison.
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