Texting driver pleads no contest in homicide

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John French, 23, who caused a fatal traffic crash near Wisconsin Rapids while sending text messages to his girlfriend pleaded no contest Sept. 4 to a reduced homicide charge.

The man, formerly of Stevens Point, struck a plea deal in Wood County Circuit Court. French was convicted of second-degree reckless homicide in a December 2010 crash that killed 32-year-old Robert Walker of the town of Saratoga, south of Rapids.

French was texting while driving just six days after a much-heralded state law took effect banning that practice. Attorneys on both sides agreed to ask Circuit Judge Todd Wolf for nine years in prison and eight years of extended supervision.

French is in prison on other charges, and he was hoping to be sentenced today to be done with the case. But Wolf ordered a pre-sentence investigation, and he scheduled the proceeding for November 12. According to authorities, French blew past a stop sign at Highways 73 and “Z” when another driver tried but failed to avoid French’s SUV. His vehicle then swung and hit another SUV, from which the driver was ejected despite wearing a seatbelt.

Tags: crime, courts, traffic, wisconsin