Pickup driver charged with drunken driving homicide in motorcycle crash in Oconto County
OCONTO – An Oconto Falls man was charged Thursday with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle over a Wednesday night crash that killed a motorcyclist.
Thomas E. Wolf, 56, faces a minimum of five years in prison, up to 15 years, for homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle.
Wolf was southbound on Oconto County I when he rear-ended a southbound motorcycle just north of the intersection with Guelig Road about 8:40 p.m., according to an Oconto County Sheriff’s Office accident report.
The impact sent the motorcycle into the east ditch, throwing off its driver, Bart R. Erdman, 61, of Oconto Falls.
Erdman died at the scene, about 3 miles north of Oconto Falls.
Wolf was taken to HSHS St. Clare Hospital in Oconto Falls for treatment of minor injuries.
According to the criminal complaint:
Wolf told a deputy he was driving south at about 50 mph when a bright light suddenly came out of nowhere. He said he believed the light was red but could not be certain.
Wolf added he attempted to stop, but could only remember his pickup overturning and coming to rest in the ditch.
While being treated at the hospital, Wolf told the deputy he was on his way home from golfing, and that he had consumed two alcoholic drinks after his round and had a couple more drinks while he was on the course.
A preliminary breath test showed Wolf had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.124%, or 1½ times the legal limit of 0.08%.
Wolf was cited for homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle. After his treatment was completed, he was taken to the Oconto County Jail.
At some point, online court records indicate Wolf was transferred to the Marinette County Jail, though it’s not clear why.
Wolf made his initial appearance by video from Marinette in Oconto County Circuit Court Thursday afternoon, where Judge Jay Conley set his bond at $50,000 cash.
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Contact Kent Tempus at (920) 431-8226 or ktempus@gannett.com.