Wisconsin Rapids Woman Facing Charges for the Death of a Chili Woman

Thursday, April 22nd, 2021 -- 12:02 PM

A Wisconsin Rapids woman facing charges for the death of a Chili woman appeared in Wood County Court on Wednesday.

According to court records, 31-year-old Elizabeth Zivney stated she was driving down State Highway 54 when her phone rang.  She stated she accidentally grabbed her work phone instead of her personal phone, hit something, and then she couldn’t remember anything after that.

However, a forensic examiner determined that she had been playing a game just before the crash.  A State Patrol Trooper determined Zivney was traveling 85mph in a 65mph zone when a motorcycle pulled out of a driveway and was hit by Zivney.  68-year-old Deborah Johnson, the passenger on the motorcycle, was killed.

During her court appearance on Wednesday, probable cause was found so her court proceedings will continue.  A not guilty plea was entered on her behalf.  She’s scheduled to be back in court on June 25th.  If convicted and sentenced to the maximum amount, she could face 37 years in prison.

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