March 10, 2011 - Waukesha County, Wis. - A man from the Town of Mukwonago received a 4-year prison sentence on March 4 for a snowmobile crash that occurred in 2009 and claimed the life of a 17-year-old from Vernon, according to a Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel report.
An additional 18-month sentence was handed down to 23-year-old Wayne A. Barkley for violating bail last October.
According to the newspaper's website, Barkley was racing with another snowmobile in December 2009 in the vicinity of Lower Phantom Lake. As a car approached, Barkley swerved and crashed.
Chelsey Lobenhofer, Barkley's passenger, was tossed from the snowmobile. She crashed into the car and suffered head trauma. Three days later, she died at a hospital. She had not been wearing a helmet, and neither had Barkley.
Barkley was tested for drugs and alcohol and blood tests indicated that he had been using marijuana. He was charged with homicide by vehicle - use of a controlled substance. However, he was offered a plea bargain in January. He ended up pleading no contest to homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle.
The 18-month sentence he received was for jumping bail when he was found possessing a marijuana pipe and testing positive for the drug. He'll serve that sentence after he completes his 4-year sentence. Barkley also faces 4 years of extended supervision when he completes his sentences.
According to crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 561 fatalities in 2009 because of traffic accidents in Wisconsin.
As a service to the residents of Wisconsin, our firm will frequently publish blogs about local vehicle accidents, including those involving recreational vehicles of any sort. We do this to raise awareness about the common types of motor vehicle accidents occurring in Wisconsin that may result in serious injury or traffic fatalities.
Common accidents include, but are not limited to:
- single-car accidents;
- accidents caused by hazardous road conditions; and
- accidents caused by distracted drivers or aggressive driving.
If you have been named in this blog posting or you are the victim's family member or friend and would like it removed from our website, please feel free to contact us and we will promptly accommodate your request