In Weyauwega, Wisconsin, a December 16, 2023 crash on Highway 10 near County X killed four Gonzalez siblings: Daniel, 25; Fabian, 23; Lilian, 14; and Daniela, 9. According to the criminal complaint described in reports, police were called about a wrong-way driver, and the collision occurred at about 9:15 p.m. Reports state that Scott Farmer pleaded no contest to four counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle and received a prison sentence of 37 years and six months. He later sought to withdraw his plea and challenged evidence from a blood draw. Prosecutors oppose that request, no hearing had been scheduled when the report was published, and a judge must decide the matter by December 28. The report also describes allegations in criminal complaints concerning the direction of travel, a bottle found near Farmer, blood-test results, prior drunken-driving convictions, and the status of his driver’s license. Those allegations and the legal issues surrounding the blood-draw warrant remain matters addressed through the court process. What Makes This Incident Different This was a fatal wrong-way crash involving one vehicle reported to have been traveling against traffic on Highway 10. The loss was especially profound because four siblings died in the same collision. The public report also identifies an active post-conviction dispute over a blood draw that was part of the criminal case. That procedural issue does not change the seriousness of the loss, but it may affect how evidence and court records are evaluated in the criminal proceeding. A criminal case and a family’s potential civil claim are separate matters, with different purposes and standards. Questions Investigators May Examine Investigators may examine what prompted the report of a wrong-way driver and what information was provided to responding officers. They may also examine the collision location, vehicle positions, physical damage, and any available information that could help clarify how the vehicles came together. Because reports describe a blood draw and later litigation concerning the warrant, records may help clarify the sequence of events surrounding the warrant request, the draw, testing, and handling of any samples. Investigators may also examine whether the reported direction of travel can be established through physical evidence and witness accounts. The evidence will determine what conclusions, if any, are supported. Evidence That May Need to Be Preserved Families affected by a fatal vehicle collision may benefit from acting promptly to identify and preserve evidence. Depending on what exists, relevant materials may include: - Police crash reports, supplemental reports, and dispatch or 911 communications; - Scene photographs, measurements, diagrams, and physical debris documentation; - Photographs and inspections of each involved vehicle; - Vehicle event-data-recorder information, if available; - Witness names, contact information, and contemporaneous statements; - Medical, toxicology, laboratory, warrant, and chain-of-custody records that may be relevant to the reported blood draw; and - Criminal court filings, hearing records, and orders connected to the case. Preservation requests should be carefully tailored. Some electronic information, vehicle data, and recordings can be lost or overwritten if no timely steps are taken. What Families Should Know After a fatal crash, Wisconsin families may have questions that go beyond the criminal case. A prosecutor’s role is to pursue criminal charges on behalf of the state. A civil wrongful-death or survival claim, when available, is a separate process that may seek damages allowed under Wisconsin law for qualifying family members and the estate. Insurance companies may begin gathering information soon after a crash. Families do not have to resolve important legal questions while they are grieving. Before signing releases, making recorded statements, or accepting an insurance payment, it can be helpful to understand what rights may be affected. Deadlines can apply to potential claims, and the applicable deadline can depend on the circumstances and parties involved. Preserving records early and obtaining legal guidance can help a family evaluate its options without assuming fault or an outcome before the evidence is fully reviewed. How Dunk Law Can Help Dunk Law can help Wisconsin families facing the aftermath of a fatal vehicle collision assess the information available outside the criminal case. Our attorneys can review crash-related records, identify evidence that may need prompt preservation, communicate with insurers, and explain whether a wrongful-death or estate-related claim may be available. For families grieving the deaths of loved ones in a collision like the Weyauwega crash, the focus should be on clear answers and respectful guidance. Dunk Law can discuss the next steps and the legal process in plain English. Related Dunk Law Resources - Commercial truck accident claims - Catastrophic injury claims - Wrongful death claims This post is based on publicly available news reports and is provided for general information only. It is not legal advice.