A Lake Nebagamon man faces felony charges stemming from a two-vehicle accident Labor Day weekend that severely injured another man.
Zachary D. Martinson, 23, faces felony charges of injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle and injury by use of a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration as well as one misdemeanor charge of knowingly operating while suspended causing great bodily harm.
He made his initial appearance in Douglas County Circuit Court on Feb. 17. He remains free on a $5,000 signature bond with the conditions that he not consume or possess any alcoholic beverages and that he not operate a motor vehicle unless he has a valid permit or license.
According to the criminal complaint:
Martinson was involved in an accident on County Highway B near County Highway P in the village of Lake Nebagamon the afternoon of Sept. 5. An accident reconstruction showed Martinson was heading westbound while the other vehicle, driven by Dean TePoel, was heading east. Martinson's vehicle had traveled over the center line and 4 feet into the eastbound lane when he struck the other vehicle. Both vehicles sustained heavy front end damage.
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Martinson and his passenger sustained small cuts to their heads. TePoel suffered a massive skull fracture and significant injury to his brain.
Martinson admitted he had been drinking and said he was probably over the limit. He told Douglas County Sheriff's Department Deputy Cory Knutson that he drank seven beers between 9 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. The accident occurred at about 3 a.m. Blood results showed Martinson had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.250, more than three times the legal limit. In addition, his driver's license was suspended at the time of the accident.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next week. Each of the felony charges carries a maximum penalty of up to 12 years and six months in prison and a fine up to $25,000. The misdemeanor count has a maximum penalty of nine months prison and a $10,000 fine.
Online court records indicate Martinson was also charged with a number of ordinance violations as a result of the same incident. They include operating while intoxicated, operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration, operating while suspended, operating after suspension of registration and knowingly operating while suspended causing injury to another person. He pleaded not guilty to all misdemeanor charges.
