OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – An Oshkosh man was sentenced Friday for a crash between a car and train, which killed two people.
49-year-old Shawn Schettle was sentenced to 24 years in prison for the drunken driving hit-and-run and was also placed on extended supervision for 20 years by Winnebago County Judge Karen Seifert.
The crash, which occurred on December 22, 2017, killed both Emily Mueller and Jessica Roby.
Assistant District Attorney Adam Levin pointed out both Schettle’s extensive criminal history, which dates back to age 7, and the seriousness of the crash.
Despite the jury verdict, Defense attorney Timothy Hogan disputed that Schettle was driving.
He also noted the crash was an accident and Schettle had no intent to kill anyone.
Schettle extensively described his relationship with God in his statement:
“I stand here innocent, waiting sentencing. I accept responsibility for my past, for my part in this tragic accident that led up to the deaths of my very close friends. I lied to the police. I let my 16-year-old drug-dealing cousin jump into the driver’s seat, trusting that he would get us home safe, among other things I could blame myself for. That isn’t what matters today. What matters is God’s will that brought us all here. He has a plan for my life, whether that is 20 years, 10 years, or my release. I accept whatever that sentence is. I hold no grudge toward anyone in this courtroom. I pray for Jessica, Emily, and their family every night, as I am sure you miss them as much as I do. That has taken the burden and the hurt off of me, as no one can change what God’s will is and He wanted to happen. It was His plan,” says Schettle.
“We need to protect the community from this ever happening again,” explains Judge Seifert. “You said are innocent and this is God’s will. I guess that, to me, is a very twisted version of what happened.”
The judge said that there were no written victim impact statements and no one addressed the court Friday.
There were letters of support for Schettle.
Following a three-day jury trial, Schettle was convicted of: two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, two counts of hit and run involving death, two counts of knowingly operating a vehicle with a suspended license, and two counts of homicide use of a vehicle while using a controlled substance.
Schettle borrowed a car, even though he didn’t have a valid license, according to the criminal complaint.
Schettle gave police varying accounts of what happened after the crash, but admitted to smoking marijuana and drinking vodka before the crash.
A dog injured in the crash, Elsa, recovered.
