Loyal Woman Dies in Tragic Accident
Tuesday, February 28th, 2012 -- 8:29 AM
-A 22-year-old Loyal woman has died following a one-vehicle accident early Sunday morning.The driver, 21-year-old Tyler Deal, of La Crosse, struck a power pole near Highway V and Karau Avenue south of Spencer around 3:30 a.m. His passenger, Paige Metz, died at the scene. Deal was transported to Ministry Saint Joseph?s Hospital in Marshfield.
Police believe the vehicle was headed north on Highway V when Deal lost control, spinning the vehicle and the passenger side of the car struck the utility pole. A blood test confirmed that Deal was under the influence of marijuana.
The Marathon County Sheriff?s Department said Deal suffered serious injuries in the crash, including several broken ribs, a lacerated liver, and damage to his spleen. He is still in the hospital. Officers found a plastic baggie containing 7.1 grams of marijuana, a green glass pipe and a prescription pill bottle in Deal's name containing three tablets of hydrocodone, a painkiller.
He?s expected to be charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of THC.
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