Additional Charges Filed Against Driver in Fatal Crash

WILLMAR - Kandiyohi County Attorney Jenna Fischer says tests show 21-year-old Paul Wickenhauser of Cokato was over the legal limit for alcohol when his pickup crossed the centerline of Highway 12 east of Willmar one week ago today, killing three family members.

Fischer says they received the test results of Wickenhauser's blood from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension yesterday and it showed .09, just over the legal limit of .08.   Preliminary test results showed Wickenhauser at .07.

Fischer says they've filed an amended complaint against Wickenhauser, who was orignally charged with 4 counts of Criminal Vehicular Homicide and Open Bottle.

Because of the test results, Fischer says he now faces 8 felonies...Criminal Vehicular Homicide with Negligence and Causing a Death While Driving with a BAC of .08 or More for the deaths of 68-year-old Marta Stoffers of Atwater, her daughter-in-law 40-year-old Michelle Hoffman of Eden Prairie and Hoffman's 8-year-old Daughter Julia.   Wickenhauser is also charged with Criminal Vehicular Injury with Negligence and Injury at .08 or Greater for injuring 5-year-old Jason Hoffman.   He is also charged with Open Bottle.

Wickenhauser is currently free on bond from the Kandiyohi County Jail and his next court appearance had been slated for November 19th but will have to make an initial appearance on the amended complaint, and the date has not yet been set.

Thank you to KWLM in Willmar for this story.