Kevin Murphy, Leader Correspondent
A Neopit woman who caused the death of a passenger and serious injuries to another by getting intoxicated and crashing into a tree last August pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment charges.
Ashley A. Kitchenakow, 27, faces maximum penalties of 13 years in prison at her July 11 sentencing before District Judge William Griesbach. However, a federal prosecutor has agreed to recommend a 10-year sentence, three years’ supervised release and restitution.
According to the 15-page plea agreement:
A female passenger was found by Menominee Tribal Police at the crash scene on the reservation Aug. 28. She was pinned under the dashboard and unresponsive although she had a faint pulse. Shortly thereafter, she passed away. Shawano County Medical Examiner Pat Roberts indicated that the woman suffered a broken neck and severe brain trauma from the crash causing her death.
A male passenger told MTP that Kitchenakow was driving drunk and “gunned it right into this tree.” The man was transported to the Shawano Medical Center, where he was treated for injuries that left him partially paralyzed.
MTP spoke with one witness who said she heard a car strike a tree in her front yard and when she went out to help a female who was screaming. The witness returned to her house to get a blanket, but when she returned, woman had fled. The witness said she saw several bottles of alcohol and could smell alcohol coming from the vehicle.
Several other witnesses who arrived on scene said Kitchenakow was the driver who had fled.
Another passenger said he was not drinking that evening, but the others were. Kitchenakow was “really drunk” when she drove them to an area of the Menominee Indian Reservation known as White City, he said.
Kitchenakow was swerving all over the road and driving between 30 and 50 mph, according to the passenger. After she passed a semi-truck and encountered a vehicle headed in their direction, Kitchenakow lost control of the vehicle, struck the curb and then a tree, the passenger said.
MTP spoke with Kitchenakow hours later at her residence. The report indicated she slurred her speech and appeared highly intoxicated. She was arrested and transported to the SMC, where a blood test revealed a .154 blood- alcohol concentration, nearly twice the prohibited limit.
Kitchenakow admitted to driving recklessly while under the influence of alcohol, according to the court documents.
Griesbach continued Kitchenakow’s release pending sentencing noting she has a job, three children to care for and has been receiving unspecified treatment.
Griesbach also noted that Kitchenakow had an extensive history of underage drinking, prior convictions for OWI and operating after suspension.
He scheduled a bail hearing for Thursday.