The driver accused of homicide in a fatal head-on collision in July was ordered held on a high signature bond at an initial appearance in court Wednesday.
Jack W. Frandy, 69, made his first appearance in Columbia County Circuit Court on two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and misdemeanor obstructing an officer.
Court Commissioner Charles Church ordered Frandy to sign a $10,000 signature bond and that he not consume alcohol until the case is resolved.
Frandy faces 25 years in prison in the death of Ben VanderVenter, 21, rural Columbus, killed in a head-on collision on Highway C, south of Hall Road, around midnight July 24.
A criminal complaint said a blood test revealed Frandy's blood-alcohol concentration to be 0.166 at the time of the collision, more than twice the illegal level of 0.08 to drive in Wisconsin.
Frandy, who received minor injuries in the collision, delayed calling 911 and instead called his wife, Pamela Frandy, to the scene, the complaint said.
Pamela Frandy, 60, drove from their Highway B residence to the scene before contacting 911, authorities said. The complaint said she initially told authorities she was the driver.
The delay in contacting 911 probably made no difference in VanderVenter's death, said Assistant District Attorney Troy Cross, although he said he is still awaiting medical and laboratory test results that might prove otherwise.
Pamela Frandy was charged last month with misdemeanor obstructing an officer, which has a maximum sentence of nine months in jail and a fine of $10,000.
Jack Frandy was charged last month with two homicide counts, one related to operating while intoxicated and one related to operating with a prohibited concentration of blood-alcohol. If found guilty of both charges, he would serve only one sentence, Cross said.
Frandy was charged in July with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated as a second offense and with obstructing an officer, both as misdemeanors. The charges carry a possible maximum initial penalty of 18 months in jail and $11,100 in fines.
Frandy is scheduled for a pretrial conference on the homicide charges Dec. 21 and is scheduled to return for a hearing Jan. 20.