Charges filed in fatal Merrill crash

Ashley D. Baumann, 24, of Merrill, was charged Thursday in connection with a June 7, 2012, crash in which two people were killed. The single vehicle crash occurred on S. Alexander St. in the City of Merrill, killing Jessica Hartwig, 33, of Merrill, and Misty Glisch, 31, of Merrill. Baumann and another passenger, Jerrica Woller, 29, were severely injured in the crash.
The Wisconsin State Patrol Technical Reconstruction Unit was requested to provide assistance with the crash investigation and crash reconstruction process. The investigation, including a complete crash reconstruction, was recently completed and subsequently reviewed by the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office and Wisconsin Attorney General’s Office.
Based upon the evidence of this investigation, Baumann has been charged in Lincoln County Circuit Court with: two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, two counts of homicide by use of a vehicle with prohibited alcohol concentration, two counts of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle, one count of causing great bodily harm by intoxicated use of a vehicle, one count of causing great bodily harm by use of a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration and one count of reckless driving causing great bodily harm.
Baumann made an initial court appearance on Monday. Lincoln County Circuit Court Judge Jay Tlusty released Baumann on a $5,000 bond ($500 cash, plus a $4,500 signature bond). A preliminary hearing has been set for Dec. 19.
Assistant Attorney General Tara Jenswold, acting as a special prosecutor, will assist the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office with the prosecution of this case.