Jatziel Encarnacion, left, appears with his attorney in court via video conference from the Fond du Lac County Jail Jan. 9, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A driver who may have been intoxicated, according to prosecutors — and was arrested after allegedly striking two women lying on the road after a rollover crash — appeared in court Tuesday, but charges have not been filed yet.
Jatziel Encarnacion, 19, is likely to face at least a charge of hit and run causing great bodily harm for the Dec. 31 crash in the town of Auburn, said Assistant District Attorney David Maas.
Bond was set at $250,000 cash by Judge Douglas Edelstein. Another court date was not set, and will wait until after prosecutors file charges.
A single-vehicle rollover crash happened on U.S. 45 near Sandy Road at about 1:30 a.m. At least four of the people were ejected from the vehicle, with two landing on the road. While other vehicles avoided the two, Encarnacion allegedly did not, striking the two. One was struck in the head, while the other was lodged under the vehicle and dragged for several miles, Maas said.
The hit and run causing great bodily harm charge would be for the victim who was struck. The victim who died, Taya Grimes, may have been killed in the initial crash, so it is underdetermined what charge may be filed, Maas said.
Additionally, Encarnacion may have been intoxicated, Maas said. Last week, the sheriff’s department said Encarnacion and the victims may have been at the same underage drinking party.
An online fundraiser has been established for Grimes.
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