Tragic Wrong-Way Crash in Weyauwega
A Wisconsin man has been convicted in a devastating wrong-way drunken driving crash that resulted in the deaths of four siblings last December. Scott Farmer, 48, of Neenah, entered a no-contest plea on Wednesday to four counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle and one count of operating while intoxicated.
Details of the Crash
The fatal crash occurred on December 16, 2023, when Farmer drove his truck the wrong way on a highway in Weyauwega, located about 100 miles northwest of Milwaukee. His truck collided head-on with an SUV carrying four siblings. The crash killed the SUV’s driver, 25-year-old Daniel Gonzalez, along with his siblings, Fabian Gonzalez, 23, Lilian Gonzalez, 14, and Daniela Gonzalez, 9.
The Gonzalez siblings were the children of Kurt Schilling, a pastor at Emmaus Lutheran Church in Waupaca, and his wife, Paulina. The tragic loss has deeply affected their family and community.
Blood-Alcohol Content Far Above Legal Limit
According to court records, Farmer had a blood-alcohol content of .346 percent at the time of the crash, which is more than four times the legal limit of .08 percent in Wisconsin. Given Farmer’s previous convictions for drunken driving, his legal limit was reduced to .02 percent, making his level of intoxication even more egregious under the law.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
By pleading no contest, Farmer avoided a trial but acknowledged the gravity of the charges against him. A judge has set his sentencing for November 22, 2024. He faces significant prison time for the deaths of the Gonzalez siblings.
Kurt Schilling, the father of the victims, expressed his hope for justice following Farmer’s plea. “The main charges are there, and I hope justice is served in the end,” he said.
