Philip Slezewski appears in Manitowoc County court, January 11, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A man with a suspended driver’s license charged in connection with the Christmas Day crash which killed his wife and mother pleaded not guilty Thursday.
Philip Slezewski, 38, faces six charges, including two of knowingly operating a vehicle while suspended, causing death.
After testimony during a preliminary hearing from Manitowoc Co. Sheriff Detective Nathanial Steber about the crash and Slezewski’s driving record, Judge Robert Dewane ordered Slezewski to stand trial. The not guilty pleas were then entered.
Defense attorney Ann Larson requested the $300,000 cash be reduced to $3,000 cash. Several victims opposed the request. Kaylie Slezewski, his daughter, pledged her father would appear in court. Judge Dewane lowered the bond to $10,000 cash, maintaining the prohibition on driving.
A status conference was set for Feb. 16.
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,” the criminal complaint states.
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.
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