Bail set at $100,000 cash for fatal I-43 hit-and-run
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Citing his long criminal history, a Brown County judge set Juan Zuniga’s bond at $100,000 cash for a fatal hit-and-run crash on Interstate 43.
Zuniga was in court Friday afternoon for the crash just east of Green Bay that killed Michael DeGrave. Though it happened early Wednesday morning, DeGrave’s Kia wasn’t discovered in long grass off the interstate until hours later.
Police arrested Zuniga Wednesday night after receiving a citizen’s tip that he was in Bellevue.
Zuniga is charged with hit-and-run resulting in death. The crime carries up to 25 years in prison, but prosecutors say more serious charges could still be filed.
If Zuniga posts bail, the judge forbade him from driving a car.
He’s supposed to be back in court on December 20.
In the criminal complaint, Zuniga told a friend that he hit DeGrave’s car but decided to run from the scene because he “didn’t have insurance.”
But a law passed earlier this year, Assembly Bill 201, says legally there is no excuse for leaving the scene after a driver hits anything.
“If you hit something you have to stop and investigate, you have to exchange information or render assistance and you can’t use some sort of bogus excuse,” said Rep. Andre Jaqcue, (R) De Pere.
Jacque passed Assembly Bill 201 with the help of Colleen and Jeff Kennedy, whose son was killed in a hit and run crash in 2011.
“The individual who struck and killed their son did not stop at the scene, did not render aid and had been drinking beforehand,” said Jacque.
The driver who killed John Kennedy told police he thought he hit a garbage can. Prosecutors couldn’t prove otherwise so the driver was released after 2 years in jail.
“The reason why we need to take away these loopholes is because they have been horribly abused,” said Jacque.
Jacque, along with the Kennedy’s, successfully blocked that loophole this spring with the hope that it would hold those involved in a hit and run crash accountable and that now includes Zuniga.
“There is no change in the penalty itself. The difference is in more effective prosecutions,” said Jacque. “If you hit someone and you leave them to die, you are going to be caught and you are going to be held responsible and that is what this legislation is about,” said Jacque.