A Milwaukee man faces serious charges after a fatal crash that resulted in the death of a 74-year-old Franklin resident. On Saturday, Leonel Molina Rios, 58, was involved in a collision on South Lovers Lane Road and West Rawson Avenue in Franklin. Rios is charged with one count of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and one count of knowingly operating a vehicle without a valid license causing death, as reported by Journal Sentinel.
Should Rios be convicted of both charges, the repercussions could extend to a 31-year prison sentence along with fines up to $110,000. The consequences for the felony charge, upon a guilty verdict, include a potential bifurcated sentence as per Wisconsin state statutes; this entails a period of incarceration followed by extended supervision, FOX6 News Milwaukee conveyed. Additionally, vehicle operating privileges for Rios could be revoked for a period of up to 5½ years.
The events unfolded as emergency services were called to the scene of the crash at approximately 6:40 p.m. Upon arrival, two vehicles were discovered with substantial front-end damage. The other driver, a 74-year-old man from Franklin, tragically perished at the scene due to the impact. CBS 58 reported the crash took place within a construction zone.
A reconstruction by the Wisconsin State Patrol Technical Reconstruction Unit concluded Rios's vehicle crossed the centerline, instigating a head-on collision. At the hospital, Rios admitted to consuming alcohol prior to the accident, telling investigators he had two shots of whiskey and three beers and was aware of his impairment when leaving the bar, as announced by detectives in a statement obtained by CBS 58. Moreover, a bartender confirmed that she served Rios "4-5, 5-6 beers and two shots that were Jack," creating a puzzling context calling into question the exact number of drinks consumed.
Rios, who noted his employment at a hotel in Oak Creek, has his bond currently set at $150,000. Through an investigation, it was discovered that Rios did not possess a valid driver’s license at the time of the collision and was only equipped with a Wisconsin ID, FOX6 News Milwaukee reported. The case remains under scrutiny as the legal system prepares to process the charges filed against Rios.
