By: Associated Press//June 12, 2015//
MEDFORD, Wis. (AP) — A Sheldon man who was convicted in a drunken driving crash that killed an Illinois deer hunter has been sentenced to 16 years in prison.
WAOW-TV reports that 43-year-old James Winchel also will spend 18 years on extended supervision.
Winchel was convicted of six felonies in February, including homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. Three counts against him were dismissed Friday.
Authorities say Winchel was driving drunk on Nov. 29, 2013, when he plowed into a group of deer hunters, killing 50-year-old Juan Salinas of Roscoe, Ill., and injuring another man.
The judge said Winchel had a cavalier attitude toward drunken driving. Salinas’ wife testified she lost her soulmate.
Winchel also spoke in court, apologizing to the Salinas family. He said he wanted to take full responsibility.