Charges added in OWI homicide case

By: 
Warren Bluhm
Editor-in-chief

Two more counts have been added to the criminal complaint against an Oconto Falls man charged with homicide by the intoxicated use of a motor vehicle in connection with a fatal crash in August.

Thomas Edward Wolf, 56, Oconto Falls, is charged in connection with a crash Aug. 3 that claimed the life of Bart Erdman, 60, also of Oconto Falls. Wolf’s pickup truck allegedly rear-ended Erdman’s motorcycle Aug. 3 while both vehicles traveled south on County Road I near Beaver Lake Road in the Town of Oconto Falls.

Wolf originally was also charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (third offense). Amended information filed Nov. 10 adds a felony count of homicide by the use of a motor vehicle with a prohibited blood-alcohol content and the misdemeanor charge of OWI with a prohibited blood-alcohol content.

Under Wisconsin law, drunken driving is a misdemeanor crime rather than a felony until a fourth offense.

During a brief pre-trial conference Nov. 17, defense attorney Joseph Norby told Judge Michael T. Judge that he is still awaiting discovery documents and other materials from the district attorney’s office. Judge scheduled another pre-trial conference for Feb. 16.

Wolf remains free after posting a $50,000 cash bond.