Illegal immigrant gets 15 years in fatal crash

By Jesse Garza of the Journal Sentinel


July 22, 2011 10:04 p.m. |(7) Comments

An illegal immigrant charged with driving drunk in the wrong direction on I-94 in Milwaukee and causing a crash that killed a 34-year-old woman was sentenced Friday to 15 years in prison and ordered to serve seven years on extended supervision, according to WTMJ-TV (Channel 4).

Leopoldo R. Salas Gaytan was charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, homicide by use of a vehicle with a prohibited blood alcohol level and operating without a valid license, causing death to another person.

Corrie A. Damske of Wauwatosa was killed in the crash, which occurred shortly after 7 a.m. New Year's Day on westbound I-94 near N. 20th St.

Salas Gaytan told police that he drank 14 beers before the crash, according to a criminal complaint.

According to a January news release from the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, Salas-Gaytan admitted to being in the United States illegally for the past 13 years. Later, officials confirmed that he is an illegal immigrant from Mexico.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/126047233.html