Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
Ryan Swadner
Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Friends and family of three teens killed in an Oct. 21 crash, many wearing shirts in their memory, gather in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court on Monday as Judge William Kussel Jr. presides over a hearing in the vehicular homicide case against Ryan Swadner. Swander, who is not pictured, appeared by video from the jail.
The teenage driver in the October crash that claimed the lives of his three young passengers was charged Monday with multiple counts of vehicular and reckless homicide, along with multiple drug charges.
Ryan M. Swadner, 18, of Cecil, is accused of being under the influence of marijuana Oct. 21 when he swerved to avoid another vehicle stopped in his path on state Highway 22 in Belle Plaine and lost control on a gravel shoulder.
The Ford Mustang he was driving crossed into the path of an oncoming sport utility vehicle and was hit broadside, according to the accident report.
Two Shawano Community High School seniors, 17-year-old Cody Borsche and 18-year-old Tyler Welch, were pronounced dead at the scene.
A Bonduel High School sophomore, 15-year-old Paige Brunette, was transported to Shawano Medical Center for medical attention and later died.
Swadner was also hospitalized. The SUV driver sustained injuries that were not life-threatening.
According to the criminal complaint, authorities found nearly 12 grams of marijuana in six plastic baggies in Swadner’s vehicle, along with the pieces of a glass pipe and a digital scale.
Swadner made his initial appearance in Shawano County Circuit Court on Monday via video hook-up from the jail.
More than a dozen friends and family of the deceased also were in court. Swadner’s mother sat in the first row on the other side of the courtroom.
According to the criminal complaint, Swadner initially intended to loan his vehicle to Welch in exchange for marijuana on the day of the crash but later agreed to give Welch a ride.
The complaint alleges the vehicle was on its way to the Highway 22/29 Shell Station for “a narcotics transaction,” based on text messages included in the complaint that were exchanged with a “Drug Customer D.”
Judge William Kussel Jr. ordered Swadner held on a $10,000 cash bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing June 1.
Swadner’s attorney, Nila Robinson, unsuccessfully argued for a signature bond, citing Swadner’s medical needs as a result of the accident and his schooling.
“He’ll be graduating in three weeks,” she said.
Kussel said Swadner’s school assignments could be delivered to the jail and that the jail could accommodate his medical appointments.
Swadner is charged with three counts of homicide by use of a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance, and three counts of second-degree reckless homicide.
Each of those charges carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
He is also charged with felony counts of possession with intent to deliver marijuana and maintaining a drug trafficking place, which District Attorney Greg Parker told the court was in reference to the vehicle being used to traffic marijuana. The charges each carry a maximum 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Swadner is also facing misdemeanor counts of causing injury while under the influence of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
“This is a tragic incident,” Sheriff Adam Bieber said after the hearing. “I don’t like the fact that this is being called an accident. I think this was a preventable crash, and I think the facts of the case are going to show that.”
The charges were filed nearly six months after the crash.
“We wanted to make sure all the evidence was in,” Bieber said. “We wanted all the facts before any kinds of charges were brought forth. Those things take time.”