Wisconsin Rapids Man Accused of Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash Scheduled for Trial

Wednesday, May 29th, 2024 -- 11:01 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) A Wisconsin Rapids man accused of causing a hit-and-run crash near Plainfield that killed a Hancock woman will go to trial this fall.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, Daniel Sawyer has been scheduled for a three-day trial from September 11th to the 13th for one count of reckless homicide and hit-and-run, causing death. Both are high-level felony counts.

Sawyer is accused of striking a vehicle driven by 73-year-old Deborah Peterke near the intersection of Highway 73 and County Road KK, and then taking off. Peterke died at the scene, her passenger suffered unspecified injuries.

The 61-year-old faces two lesser felony counts linked to the passenger’s injuries. Those include endangering safety and hit-and-run causing injury. The two most serious charges against him carry a combined maximum penalty of 85 years in prison and thousands in fines.

The two sides return to court for a final pre-trial conference on July 16th.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.