Stephen Reetz (Outagamie Co. Jail)
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A not guilty plea was entered Friday for a motorist who allegedly had marijuana in his system at the time of a fatal crash.
Stephan Reetz, 42, is charged with homicide by use of a vehicle while using a controlled substance for the June 7, 2023, crash in Freedom.
Reetz stood mute Friday, meaning he did not enter any plea. As a result, Judge Vincent Biskupic entered a not guilty plea for him. A four-day trial is scheduled to start Feb. 18.
Prosecutors say a 52-year-old Seymour man, whose name was not released, was driving his motorcycle north on Highway E around 10:30 p.m. Reetz, who was headed west on Greiner Road, allegedly did not come to a complete stop at a stop sign before making a left turn. He told police he believed the motorcycle was “way down there” and pulled out. However, the motorcycle hit Reetz’s SUV, killing the motorcyclist.
Reetz’s blood tested positive for THC, the active component of marijuana.
Unlike alcohol, where drivers can test positive for limited amounts of it and still legally drive, any detectable amount of marijuana can result in criminal charges.
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