GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – A man who hit a bicyclist and left the scene was convicted in Brown County Court Wednesday.
Barry Watters pleaded no contest to homicide by use of a vehicle while using a controlled substance as well as hit and run.
The plea deal avoids a jury trial.
Last March, a witness reported seeing a bicyclist on Walnut Avenue get hit from behind by an SUV.
The bicyclist went onto the hood of the vehicle, and then the SUV ran over the bicyclist’s legs.
The witness said two people got out of the car, looked at the bicyclist and left.
The vehicle crashed after police started a pursuit.
The crash happened at the corner of Oakland and Walnut Street around 12:37 p.m. The Green Bay Police Department says it found the vehicle on Velp Ave. and tried to pull the driver over. After a short pursuit, Watters gave himself up to police. Watters refused to do field sobriety tests at the scene but later took one at the police station.
Ramon Novoa, the passenger in the vehicle, said Watters had smoked marijuana earlier prior to the crash. An officer also said Watters smelled of marijuana. A blood sample was taken from Watters but results are not contained in the complaint.
The bicyclist died from a brain injury.
Watters will be sentenced July 8 for the death of Russell Owen.
