Wisconsin Rapids Man Arrested in Connection With Deadly Crash Has Charges Against Him Dropped

Thursday, January 9th, 2025 -- 1:01 PM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) A Wisconsin Rapids man arrested in connection with a deadly crash that killed a 67-year-old woman is no longer facing charges.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, court records show that all counts against Daniel Sawyer have been dismissed on a prosecutor’s motion. Sawyer had been accused of striking a vehicle on Highway 73 near Plainfield.

The crash killed Deborah Peterke and injured a passenger. Charges were formally dismissed on Wednesday, which was scheduled as the first day of a three-day trial for reckless homicide and hit-and-run causing injury.

Records show that all charges and forfeitures against Sawyer, including failure to notify police of an accident and maintaining an unreasonable speed, have been dismissed.

No reason for the dismissal was given. Court records from late December indicate that the trial would proceed as scheduled.

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