PC: Fox 11 Online
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A man with a suspended driver’s license has been charged in connection with a Manitowoc County Christmas Day traffic crash which killed his wife and his mother.
Philip Slezewski, 38, faces five charges, including two of knowingly operating a vehicle while suspended, causing death.
An initial appearance was held Wednesday, but his attorney was not present, so it was rescheduled for Monday. He is currently being held on a $300,000 cash bond.
According to a criminal complaint, police responded to the two-vehicle crash on I-43 in the town of Centerville at 2:45 p.m.
Slezewski’s 38-year-old wife, Heather Arcaro-Slezewski, and his 71-year-old mother, Clarine, died in the crash.
When an officer asked Slezewski for his driver’s license he said he “had court but I might be suspended,” the complaint states. A record check showed he had a suspended and expired occupational driver’s license – including having several unpaid citations.
Slezewski offered this explanation of the crash:
He stated that slightly north of exit 137, he was traveling in the left-hand lane and attempting to pass another vehicle, to move into the right-hand lane. When he tried to do this, he lost control of the wheel as he believed there was a mechanical failure as the steering became very loose and he was not able to turn it effectively.
Slezewski said he was not aware he hit another vehicle.
Slezewski also said ingested cocaine and marijuana the previous day, although none of the charges relate to operating under the influence. No blood test results are cited in the complaint, as those typically take weeks to get results.
The crash was one of three fatal crashes in a span of four days on I-43 in Manitowoc County. Sheriff’s officials released the names of the victims in all three crashes on Wednesday.
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