The village manager of Fox Point, who was recently charged in connection with a fatal crash on Interstate 94 in Waukesha County, will remain with the village and use accrued paid time off as the investigation and legal process unfolds.
On June 30, the Fox Point Village Board and select staff members met in a closed session to discuss Village Manager Scott Botcher’s “work status and need for leave,” according to the meeting agenda. The only public-facing action taken was a vote to approve a motion accepting Botcher’s request to take personal time off, Village President Christine Symchych told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via email July 2.
Motorcyclist Colton Jose of Sussex, 29, rear-ended an SUV June 25 while attempting to brake for heavy traffic on I-94 westbound in the Town of Delafield, according to a criminal complaint filed June 27 and Wisconsin State Patrol reports. Jose was thrown into the next lane where another vehicle, allegedly driven by Botcher, struck him and drove away.
Jose was pronounced dead at the scene. In the days since, his family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for funeral expenses.
Botcher, 62, was charged June 27 with one misdemeanor count of hit and run — attended vehicle. The charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a fine of between $300 and $1,000, according to the complaint.
Prior to the June 30 meeting, Symchych told the Journal Sentinel in an emailed statement that the village is still gathering information about the “horribly sad” incident and will not rush to any judgment.
“Scott has served the Village for more than a decade,” Symchych said. “Scott is a human being, and the village will treat him with grace and dignity during this difficult time.
“Right now, we are focusing on our team at the village,” Symchych wrote, adding that staff are well positioned to ensure operations continue uninterrupted. “Their attention is on doing the good work for the community, and their dedication and focus are greatly valued during this difficult time.”
According to the motion approved by village trustees June 30, Symchych will take over “day to day interactions with the village manager on behalf of the board.”
Included in the closed session to deliberate on Botcher’s work status were Assistant Village Manager Kevin Ausman, Village Attorney Eric Larson, Clerk and Treasurer Sara Bruckman, Engineering and DPW Director Scott Brandmeier and Police Chief Christopher Freedy.
Contact Claudia Levens at clevens@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @levensc13.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Fox Point employee charged in fatal I-94 crash will use paid time off as case unfolds
Reporting by Claudia Levens, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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