Wisconsin Rapids Man Charged with Hit-and-Run in Stevens Point Appears in Court

Tuesday, June 4th, 2024 -- 10:01 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) Kenneth Butler has reached a plea for a deadly hit-and-run incident, according to online court records.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, a plea and sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June 21st for two felony counts; hit-and-run causing death and homicide by negligent use of a vehicle.

Investigators say he struck and killed a man with his work vehicle. Charges stem from the death of Herbert Wievel, who was out for a walk along West River Drive near the county road HH intersection. He was rushed to a hospital in critical condition and died the next day.

The 43-year-old has admitted that he may have been looking at the GPS on his phone at the time of the incident and thought that he hit a turkey. He also said that he did stop to inspect the damage on the vehicle at some point, though it’s not clear if or when that happened.

He’s pled not guilty to both counts and faces up to 35 years in prison if found guilty. He remains jailed on a $250,000 cash bond.

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