MERRILL, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – A Merrill man has agreed to a plea deal in connection with a 2022 OWI crash that killed an 8-year-old Gleason boy.
Last week, John Lahti, 43, pleaded no contest to two offenses in court: homicide by intoxicated driving and OWI causing harm (2+). He will face over 40 years in prison.
According to authorities, the crash occurred just before 7:30 p.m. on State Highway 17 near Merrill on September 17, 2022. Lahti was drinking and driving when he crossed the center line and collided with another truck carrying two adults and two children. Ian Skarr was identified by authorities as the 8-year-old deceased boy.
Five other charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement, including second-degree reckless homicide. A telephone scheduling conference has been planned for March 14, and a sentencing hearing will likely follow not long after.
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