Thread: WI: Milwaukee man charged with homicide in wrong-way crash

Milwaukee man charged with homicide in wrong-way crash

Wisconsin State Journal
January 6, 2011

A 41-year-old Milwaukee man is accused of driving drunk down the wrong way of Interstate 94, slamming into another car head on and killing a woman.

Leopoldo Salas-Gaytan was charged Wednesday with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration and operating without a license, causing death.

The crash killed 34-year-old Corrie Damske, of Wauwatosa, on New Year's morning.

According to the criminal complaint, Salas-Gaytan said he had been going to rehab for alcohol addiction but drank a 12-pack of beer and possibly more. He's also accused of drinking while driving and throwing cans out the window.

Salas-Gaytan remained hospitalized Wednesday with a leg injury.

The Milwaukee County sheriff's department says Salas-Gaytan admitted to being an illegal immigrant.

http://host.madison.com/news/state_and_ ... c7e36.html

Hmm, I wonder if he's ever been arrested before?

Wrong-Way Driver's Victim Laid to Rest, Suspect Transferred to Jail
By Tom Murray with Jay Sorgi
Story Created: Jan 6, 2011

(Story Updated: Jan 7, 2011 )

MILWAUKEE - An alleged wrong way drunk driver accused of killing a 34-year-old mother has made an appearance in court after being released from the hospital.

41-year-old Leopoldo Salas-Gayton spent Friday morning in the Milwaukee County Jail after having cash bond set at $200,000.

A judge set his preliminary hearing for next Thursday.

Michelle Friedman said her close friend Corrie Damske was supposed to come over Friday night for a party.

"Tomorrow, we're going to her funeral instead," Friedman told TODAY'S TMJ4 reporter Tom Murray. "I will miss everything about Corrie"

Corrie died New Year's Day in an I-94 crash blamed on Salas-Gayton. The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department says Salas-Gaytan had previously been twice ticketed by Milwaukee police for driving without a license.

The sheriff's department says Salas-Gaytan also admits he's an illegal immigrant. Immigration authorities said they have not heard of him until now.

"According to ICE records, we have had no prior contact with this individual. But, we have placed a hold on him now," said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson Gail Montenegro.

State Rep. Josh Zepnick (D-Milwaukee) is upset Salas-Gayton would face a jail sentence here before deportation.

"Send Leopoldo back to where he came from and use the saved taxpayer dollars to help reduce the injury and death caused by drunk driving," Zepnick said in a statement.

But Michelle Friedman says that's not the focus of Corrie's family.

"It's not about his immigration status," Friedman said. "This is about a beautiful woman who lost her life to drunk driving."

Michelle is hoping her friend's death will result in stiffer drunk driving penalties. She said a billboard company is donating space for Corrie's picture with the message 'THINK don't DRINK.'

http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/113052584.html

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department says Salas-Gaytan had previously been twice ticketed by Milwaukee police for driving without a license.

The sheriff's department says Salas-Gaytan also admits he's an illegal immigrant. Immigration authorities said they have not heard of him until now.

Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee bear a good deal of responsibility for this woman's death.

Originally Posted by ReggieMay

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department says Salas-Gaytan had previously been twice ticketed by Milwaukee police for driving without a license.

The sheriff's department says Salas-Gaytan also admits he's an illegal immigrant. Immigration authorities said they have not heard of him until now.

Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee bear a good deal of responsibility for this woman's death.

Every Sanctuary Policy practicing city/state!! So very SAD!