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Arpin Man Sentenced for Crash that Killed 17-Year-Old

Friday, October 17th, 2025 -- 12:01 PM

(Karen Madden, Marshfield News-Herald) A 48-year-old Arpin man pleaded guilty Oct. 16 to causing a September 2023 crash that killed a 17-year-old Junction City girl.

According to Karen Madden with the Marshfield News-Herald, Jason A. Peterson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving causing bodily harm and failing to yield the right of way from a stop sign resulting in the death of Sophia Smrz.

The charges were reduced as part of a plea agreement from an initial felony charge of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle. Wood County Circuit Judge Nicholas Brazeau Jr. sentenced Peterson to serve two years in jail with Huber privileges after the first year. His jail time is set to start within two weeks. He also must pay fines and court costs of over $3,600 within 60 days.

According to the criminal complaint, at about 5:44 a.m. Sept. 22, 2023, Smrz was driving a Volkswagen west on Wood County Y when Peterson, who was driving a Ford F-150 north on Shady Road, failed to yield the right of way while making a left turn onto Wood County Y in the town of Auburndale.

Peterson told a deputy he was "pretty sure" he stopped at the stop sign, but he didn't remember, according to the complaint. Smrz, who had a head injury, was pronounced dead at the scene. Peterson was taken to Marshfield Medical Center with undisclosed injuries.


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