By Joe Bachman
Editor

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — A 23-year-old Nekoosa woman has been officially charged in the August death of a 21-year-old Marshfield man by vehicular homicide.

On Aug. 5, at approximately 3:58 a.m. authorities responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of State Highway 13 near Evergreen Ave. in the Town of Saratoga. Investigators would find that the southbound vehicle crossed over the center line, striking a northbound vehicle, which injured both drivers.

The northbound driver, identified as 21-year-old Marshfield native Tyler Manthe, was airlifted to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield with serious injuries. He was later pronounced dead at 11:20 a.m. Manthe was not believed to be wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.The southbound driver, identified as 23-year-old Nekoosa native Taylor Owczynsky, required extraction equipment to be removed from her vehicle.

According to police reports, Owczynsky had been driving home from Wis. Rapids. When police asked her how much she had to drink she replied “probably too much”. She was found to have a .15 blood alcohol concentration; well over the legal limit.

Owczynsky will face the count of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, and could face up to 50 years imprisonment. Her next scheduled court date is set for March 5.