West Bend man charged in connection with fatal crash

KEWASKUM -- A 34-year-old West Bend man faces multiple felony charges in connection with the death of Pamela Matenaer on Monday, December 24th. That suspect is Keith Wiedmeyer.

The criminal complaint against Wiedmeyer indicates he was driving through the Village of Kewaskum just before 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Witnesses indicated to police that Wiedmeyer had been driving between 65 and 80 miles an hour in a 30-mile-an-hour zone on Fond du Lac Ave. Witnesses told police Wiedmeyer crossed the center line and slammed head-on into an oncoming vehicle. A third vehicle was also struck after the initial collision.

Matenaer and two other persons were in the vehicle that struck head-on by Wiedmeyer. Matenaer was taken to Froedtert Hospital where she was pronounced dead. One of the other persons in the car had a head injury and had difficulty breathing. The third person suffered injuries including a broken nose, a broken ankle and cuts to his face.

When interviewed by police, the criminal complaint indicates that Wiedmeyer had been "drinking alcohol and he was texting while driving prior to the accident." Wiedmeyer refused a breath test and would not comply with any field sobriety tests.

Wiedmeyer now faces four criminal counts including homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, two counts of causing injury while operating intoxicated, and first-degree recklessly endangering safety.

If convicted of the charges, Wiedmeyer faces up to 25 years in prison and $100,000 in fines.

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