Jurors in the upcoming trial for a West Allis woman charged in a crash that killed two Marquette lacrosse players will not be made aware during the duration of the trial that their teammate also was charged in the case, a judge ruled on June 4.
Amandria Brunner, 42, faces two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and two counts of homicide by use of a vehicle as a party to a crime in the Sept. 5 crash that killed Scott Michaud, 19, and Noah Snyder, 20.
Her trial is set to begin June 15 with jury selection.
In May, nine months after the crash, Milwaukee County prosecutors charged 22-year-old Peter J. McColgan, a former Marquette lacrosse player, with two counts of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle in the case. Circuit Court Judge David Swanson instructed the lawyers during Brunner’s final pre-trial hearing on June 4 that this fact can not be discussed during Brunner’s trial.
McColgan is being prosecuted separately.
Prosecutors say Brunner was intoxicated when the Ford Ranger pickup she was driving collided with a Jeep Grand Cherokee at North 27th Street and West St. Paul Avenue.
Brunner was alone in the Ford Ranger. Six occupants were in the Jeep. Investigators believe the northbound Ford turned left into the path of the southbound Jeep.
A medical examiner’s report determined Michaud and Snyder died from “multiple blunt force injuries” that they suffered in the crash. Three others in the Jeep also were injured in the crash.
According to a criminal complaint, a blood sample taken from Brunner after the crash showed her blood alcohol level was 0.133 − nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08.
In May, nine months after the crash, Milwaukee County prosecutors announced they charged Peter J. McColgan, a former Marquette lacrosse player, with two counts of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle in the case.
McColgan initially told police he had been driving 30 mph − consistent with the posted speed limit in the area − when Brunner’s vehicle drove turned left in front of him.
“What happened inside the car … is not relevant for a determination on whether or not Ms. Brunner exercised due care in this case,” Assistant District Attorney Emily Zimmel said.
Dustan Davidson, one of Brunner’s attorneys, said he will not bring up the fact McColgan faces charges in the crash, but that data and other material used to build the case against him could be used for Brunner’s defense.
According to a criminal complaint in McColgan’s case, data downloaded from the Jeep’s airbag control module indicated the Jeep’s accelerator was 100% depressed and the vehicle was traveling at 53 mph when the cars collided. The posted speed limit at the intersection is 30 mph.
McColgan is expected to be in court July 16 for his initial hearing.
Chris Ramirez covers courts for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at caramirez@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trial date set for woman in crash that killed 2 Marquette lacrosse players
Reporting by Chris Ramirez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Chris Ramirez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
