RHINELANDER, WI (WSAU) — The woman who was allegedly driving a UTV while drunk during a crash that killed her boyfriend in 2018 is formally facing homicide charges.
Brenda Reiche was formally charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle and homicide by use of a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration in Oneida County Court on Tuesday.
Prosecutors say Reiche was intoxicated when she crashed a UTV in the Oneida County Town of Nokomis after leaving a tavern where she admitted to having a few drinks.
The couple was also said to be participating in a golf tournament that afternoon.
Reiche had denied driving the UTV but evidence collected at the scene and the crash reconstruction points to her being behind the wheel at the time of the crash.
The 48-year-old’s BAC registered at .236 when it was taken more than an hour after the crash.
The crash killed Adam Reitz, who was partially ejected from the vehicle when it struck a tree after failing to negotiate a curve in the road. Officials say wet road conditions may have also contributed to the incident.
Reiche is free on a signature bond and is due back in court on January 9th. She faces up to 25 years in prison if found guilty.
