Waukesha woman charged 2 years after crash that killed friend
A 20-year-old Waukesha woman with no memory of the 2014 crash that killed her friend as they drove to softball tryouts has now been charged with a felony.
Danica Molina could face up to five years in prison if convicted of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle.
According to the criminal complaint:
Molina, who has no prior record, was driving an SUV south on Ryan Road in Lisbon just after noon Aug. 2, 2014, when she left the road and hit some trees. She and her passenger, Alyse Krauss, were both seriously injured.
Krauss, 15, of Pewaukee, died two days later.
During an interview in the hospital, Molina told a detective she had been trying to change lanes and lost control.
Later — the complaint doesn't indicate when — the same detective tried to re-interview Molina after she had been released from the hospital. By then, she suffered memory loss from her injuries, a fact confirmed by doctors. All Molina could recall was that she thought she just lost control.
The stretch where witnesses said Molina left the roadway was a no-passing zone along a slight curve.
Molina's attorney, Ray Dall'Osto, said the delay in the criminal case was attributable to negotiations and insurance settlements.
"It's just really unfortunate, they were good friends," he said. "But ultimately, the state felt it went beyond 'just an accident.'"
No alcohol, drugs or texting was involved in the crash, Dall'Osto said. Krauss and Molina were classmates at Waukesha North High School.
Both he and Waukesha District Attorney Sue Opper said they don't expect the resolution of the case to take nearly as long.
Dall'Osto said Molina was in the hospital less than a month but continues to recover through intensive follow-up treatment.
