Joshua Gann appears in Door County court for sentencing, March 7, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Joshua Gann was sentenced Thursday to 21 years in prison for the drunk driving crash which killed a woman by her mailbox.
Marilyn Vandenbogart, 71, was killed in the Aug. 27, 2022, crash on Gordon Road in Sevastopol.
Gann, 45, was also placed on extended supervision for 10 years by Judge D. Todd Ehlers on the conviction for homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle, and other counts. In addition, he must pay restitution of more than $25,000.
Before the sentence was issued, Gann said he mistakenly used alcohol to medicate his PTSD, but vowed to never drink again. He apologized.
“I would just like to say how profoundly sorry I am to Mr. Vandenbogart, his children, grandchildren, family and friends, and to the community for this tragic and horrible accident. That that great woman to so many people lost her life because I drove drunk. I feel your pain, and it is with me daily, as you are foremost in my thoughts and prayers. Eventually, I hope you can find forgiveness in your hearts,” Gann said.
The judge said because of how the crash occurred, it’s an easy one to remember.
“Every afternoon, that I get out of my car at the end of my driveway on Highway 57 to go out and get the mail out of my mailbox, I think to myself, “Oh, I hope there’s not someone like Mr. Gann, coming north or south, in an intoxicated state and going to hit me,” the judge said. “The seriousness of your crime, the gravity of this offense, the horrible facts of this case, and the senseless killing of Marilyn Vandenbogart – those are the overriding and compelling factors in this case.”
According to the criminal complaint, Gann was at a bar, and ordered a vodka and cranberry drink. Gann was asked to leave, and argued with a manager, who was trying to prevent him from leaving. Gann got in his vehicle, backed into another car, and drove off. Police were called.
Police found Gordon’s vehicle after it had left the roadway. Gann fled. A Taser was used, and he was arrested. A preliminary blood test showed a BAC of .234%. He was arrested. While at the hospital, Gann said probably drank 3/4 of a bottle of Nyquil that day.
Meanwhile, police responded to a report of a pedestrian who was struck.
“It appeared that Gann was traveling westbound on Gordon Road and left the roadway to the right and entered the shoulder and grass ditch on the north side of Gordon Road, striking VICTIM as she was near her mailbox on Gordon Road. The entire mailbox, metal brace and wooden post was laying in the yard located at 5708 Gordon Road, west of where VICTIM was struck,” the complaint states.
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