(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — The man accused of killing 46-year-old Amy Mosier in a high-speed drunk driving crash made his initial court appearance Thursday, as her grieving children made emotional pleas for justice—and a high bail.
(Kenosha County Sheriff)
Peter K. Herrmann, 21, is charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle following the May 7 crash at Sheridan Road and 85th Street. Prosecutors say Herrmann plowed his Jeep Wrangler into a Chevrolet Trailblazer just after 1 a.m., killing Mosier and seriously injuring driver Raven Lawrence. The impact of the collision left both vehicles mangled and shut down the intersection for hours.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Herrmann appeared in court with attorneys David Berman and Philip Marry. As he sat silently with his head down, the courtroom heard tearful statements from Mosier’s adult children.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
“I got my mom’s phone after the wreck,” her daughter said, fighting back tears. “And I realized my birth date was her phone password.”
Her voice trembling, she told the court she was trying to be logical, but said, “This is the worst thing I’ve ever had to go through. I don’t have the money to get my mom back.”
“I think the car he was driving was a 2018 Jeep something. And those used go for, what, $28,000? So if he can afford that and get out, I think it should be at least, like, what’s that times 10? Like almost $280,000?”
Her brother told the court, “I know I’m going to have to find it in my heart to forgive him. I can’t right now. Two days ago, I had a mother, and now I don’t.”
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis asked the court for a $200,000 cash bail, citing the violent nature of the crash and the defendant’s condition at the scene. According to the criminal complaint, officers smelled alcohol on Herrmann’s breath and observed him swaying, slurring his words, and showing visible signs of intoxication. A certified drug recognition expert concluded Herrmann was under the influence of alcohol and incapable of safely operating a vehicle.
Herrmann initially refused a blood test, prompting officers to seek a search warrant. Two vials of blood were later drawn at Aurora Hospital. Officers found an empty can of Busch Light in his Jeep and suspected THC edibles near the crash site. Surveillance video and crash scene measurements are still under review by police.
The crash left Mosier with devastating injuries. She was airlifted to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee and pronounced dead at 6:21 p.m. that same day. Her injuries included a torn aorta, multiple fractured ribs, organ damage, and a fractured pelvis.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Raven Lawrence, the driver of the Trailblazer, also suffered serious injuries, including a broken arm, facial trauma, and multiple internal wounds. Herrmann has no prior criminal record, and his attorney requested bail between $25,000 and $40,000. Court Commissioner Don Bielski instead set bail at $100,000 cash, citing the severity of the charges.
If convicted, Herrmann faces up to 25 years in prison for the homicide charge and an additional 12 years and 6 months for the injury charge, along with mandatory license revocation and minimum confinement terms.
He is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on May 20.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
4 Responses
Such a preventable disaster. I’ll never understand the selfish choice of drinking and driving.
great job DA Solis
Drunk and driving at over 100 mph (according to police at the scene). Why???? Three families destroyed over this. My heart breaks for the family who lost their mom right before Mother’s Day, the poor mother in the hospital, and the mother of the man who made this horrible choice. Just senseless.
Nice looking kid! What an idiot! Very preventable. Call an Uber! Call a friend! Stay home and drink!