SEMI DRIVER FACES 25 CHARGES; MAY HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL
Thursday, January 12th, 2006 -- 2:45 PM
Five people died when a charter bus collided with an overturned semi on I-94, just north of Osseo, in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 16th. The accident happened as the bus returned to Chippewa Falls from a band contest in southern Wisconsin.After an exhaustive investigation, Eau Claire County District Attorney Rich White announced Thursday he was charging semi-driver Michael Kozlowski with 25 total counts: five counts of homicide by negligent use of a motor vehicle, 11 counts of reckless driving causing bodily harm, and 9 counts of reckless driving causing injury.
The maximum penalty on the homicide charges are 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
The crash after Kozlowski drove his semi off onto the shoulder of Interstate 94 and lost control when he pulled back onto the highway.
?Two witnesses to the defendant?s driving behavior prior to this collision provide information consistent with a conclusion that the defendant?s semi left the interstate when he fell asleep that morning,? the complaint filed by Eau Claire County District Attorney Richard White said.
Kozlowski, who lives in Indiana, will be in Eau Claire County for his initial court appearance January 31st.
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