Tomah Woman Arrested for Driving Intoxicated and Crashing with Children in the Vehicle Appears in Monroe County Court

Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 -- 11:01 AM

A Tomah woman accused of driving intoxicated and crashing while there were children in the vehicle appeared in Monroe County Court.

According to court records, back in February, authorities received a report of a traffic accident with multiple injuries on Ginger Road near the intersection of Quartermaster Road in Monroe County. A vehicle, driven by Samantha Carter, was heading southeast on Ginger Road when the vehicle left the road and collided with a stone gate structure near South Post Housing.

When speaking with Carter, they noticed she had slurred speech, was in a confused state, and had the smell of intoxicants from her. She was also uncooperative and verbally abusive. Authorities stated that Carter would scream every time they tried to remove her from the vehicle and was hanging on to the steering wheel.

All three individuals were taken to Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse, according to the criminal complaint. One child had bruised lungs, a broken right angle, and an abrasion to the left knee. Another suffered two broken legs and a head injury.

Carter is facing:

• Two counts of first degree reckless injury;
• Two counts of  injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle;
• Two counts of physical abuse of child -recklessly cause great bodily harm;
• Two counts of knowingly operate motor vehicle while suspended -cause great bodily harm;
• Misdemeanor bail jumping;
• Two counts of violation of child safety restraint requirements -child 4 years but less than 8 years of age;
• And one count possess open intoxicants in motor vehicle -driver.

During her court appearance on Monday, she waived her preliminary hearing and entered a not guilty plea to the charges against her. She’s scheduled to be back in court on July 24th for a plea and schedule hearing.

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