A Wisconsin man was sentenced to more than 35 years in prison for a wrong-way crash that killed four siblings in December 2022. The crash, caused by drunk driving, has left a family shattered and a community mourning the devastating loss.
The Fatal Accident
Scott Farmer, 48, of Neenah, was found guilty of causing the collision while intoxicated. He was driving his truck in the wrong direction on Highway 10 in Weyauwega, approximately 100 miles northwest of Milwaukee, when he crashed into an SUV. Inside the SUV were four siblings: Daniel Gonzalez, 25, Fabian Gonzalez, 23, and their younger sisters, Lilian, 14, and Daniela, 9.
The siblings were the children of Pastor Kurt Schilling of Emmaus Lutheran Church in Waupaca and his wife, Paulina. Their deaths have left an indelible mark on the local community and beyond.
Judge Raymond Huber, who presided over the case, expressed the enormity of the tragedy during sentencing. “It’s incomprehensible to this court to imagine losing four children,” he said.
Farmer’s Actions and Legal Consequences
At the time of the crash, Farmer’s blood alcohol level was recorded at 0.34, more than four times the legal limit for drivers. Due to prior alcohol-related convictions, his legal threshold for intoxication was even lower. Despite this, he chose to drive after consuming large amounts of vodka.
Farmer’s defense attorney, John Miller Carroll, acknowledged his client’s actions, describing them as “the worst decision of his life.” Carroll argued that Farmer had not seen any oncoming headlights before the collision, but the court rejected these claims in light of Farmer’s clear negligence.
Community Impact and Highway Safety Concerns
The siblings, who were later buried in Ecuador, their mother’s homeland, leave behind a grieving family and community. The tragedy has reignited discussions about road safety, particularly the dangers of wrong-way driving on Highway 10.
Judge Huber noted that while highway design improvements might help reduce such incidents, they do not absolve individuals of responsibility for their actions. “While the Department of Transportation should look at possibly making improvements, it does not obviate Mr. Farmer’s culpability,” he said.
