Deputy US Marshal accused; charged in crash that killed motorcyclist

JEFFERSON, Wis. - A deputy U.S. Marshal is charged with homicide in connection with a crash in Jefferson that killed a former Waukesha County sheriff's detective. 

Back on Nov. 15, 2024, a motorcyclist was heading north on Highway 89 when prosecutors say he was hit from behind by a car driven by 28-year-old Marcus Collins.

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A criminal complaint does not detail Collins' job. But court records reviewed by FOX6 News show Collins is a deputy U.S. Marshal in Madison. Filings say Collings told investigators the motorcyclist, identified in court filings as 36-year-old Erich Stubbe, passed Collins shortly before the crash. 

Collins said he received a work email and looked down at his phone. But when he looked up, the motorcyclist slowed to turn into a driveway. 

Stubbe was airlifted to the hospital. He died several days later. 

When asked what the work email was regarding, Collins said, "…he didn't have the chance to open it…it was that quick. It was just a glance."

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Filings say Collins had just left downtown Jefferson. But a search of his personal phone showed Collins and a woman were texting in the moments before the crash. 

Investigators also pulled surveillance video from a business nearby that shows the motorcyclist followed by Collins, contradicting Collins' statement that the motorcyclist passed him just before the crash. 

Waukesha County said Stubbe worked for the sheriff's department for more than six years – four years as a deputy sheriff and a little more than two years as a detective. 

It is unclear if Collins has an attorney who can speak on his behalf. Collins is scheduled to make his first court appearance in February. 

FOX6 News reached out to the U.S. Marshals Service in Madison and Washington, D.C. We will let you know when we hear back.