Wisconsin Law Journal – WI Legal News & Resources Wisconsin Legal News & Resources
LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) — A dump truck driver who had alcohol in his system and admitted checking Facebook before a fatal interstate crash has been convicted of homicide in La Crosse County Circuit Court.
Thirty-six-year-old Francis Rychtik Sr., has pleaded no contest to charges, including homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, in an agreement with prosecutors. The Arpin man was hauling sand for B&R Excavating last July when he hit the back of a Mustang convertible on Interstate 90, setting off a chain reaction crash involving three other vehicles and a semi.
The dump truck landed on top of the convertible and both vehicles caught fire. The 29-year-old driver of the Mustang, Jason Songer of La Crescent, Minn., was killed. Four others were injured. The La Crosse Tribune reports sentencing is scheduled July 21.
