Wednesday, January 5, 2011

41-year-old OWI Driver Charged With Vehicle Homicide While Going Wrong Way On I-94 Freeway Resulting In Death

Leopoldo R. Salas-Gayton

Photo: Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department

Intoxicated undocumented driver had prior convictions of driving without a driver's license in Wisconsin

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 5, 2011

Milwaukee - On Wednesday, Leopoldo R. Salas-Gayton, 41, was charged in Milwaukee County Circuit Court with two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and driving without a license in connection with a New Year's day fatal accident. Gayton was going westbound on the I-94 freeway and passed the S. 35th St. exit when he then made a u-turn and headed eastbound on westbound traffic direction. About half a mile, Gayton struck two vehicles near S. 17th St., according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department investigation.
Gayton told investigators that he drank at least 14 beers and had blacked out before he fatally struck Corrie A. Damske, 34, vehicle at about 7:15 a.m. on New Year's day. Damske of Wauwatosa died at the scene.
Gayton who is recoverying from a leg injury at a hospital admitted to authorities that he had been in the country illegally for 13 years. He tested positive for alcohol with .14 almost twice the .08 legal alcohol limit in his blood, the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office reported in a criminal complaint.
He was previously convicted on June 15, 2010 for operating a vehicle without a valid license (minor offense), a second conviction within three years. Gayton was cited by a Wisconsin State Patrol officer on April 22, 2010, according to court records.
Gayton is facing 25 years in prison and more than $100,000 in fines, if convicted on the recent charges of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. He will then be subject to deportation after serving his sentence.     

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