A Mother And Girl Scouts Were Killed In A DUI Accident

A DUI charge doesn’t always mean that a person was drunk on alcohol while driving. Driving under the influence can mean driving while taking drugs that affect one’s abilities in general. This can mean legal drugs like marijuana, prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and illicit drugs. A DUI can be charged if the medication or the drug affects driving ability, no matter the legal status of the drug. If the authorities believe that a person has drugs in their system, they can compel a chemical blood or urine test. If the driver refuses to take the test and is still convicted of DUI, they can face stiffer penalties. 

The New York Daily News reports that a man has received a sentence of 54 years in prison for a DUI crash that killed Girl Scouts and a mother as they picked up litter in Wisconsin. 

The incident occurred on November 3, 2018, when Treu veered off the road, striking three girls and a mother who were collecting garbage in the city of Lake Hallie. Rather than stop and help, Treu drove home and parked his vehicle. 

10-year-old Haylee Hickle and her mother, 32-year-old Sara Jo Schneider, were both killed. Other victims in the accident were 10-year-old Autumn Helgeson and 9-year-old Jayna Kelley. 

At the time of the accident, Treu and his passenger had been inhaling computer keyboard cleaner. Treu said that his passenger recklessly grabbed and jerked the wheel just prior to the accident. 

Treu’s passenger has not been charged in the accident. 

 

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