Court Sentences Man Convicted Of Homicide In Fatal Traffic Incident

CHIPPEWA COUNTY -- The Court has sentenced Christopher Peterson, on convictions from a fatal traffic incident that occurred in Chippewa County in May 2020.

On Saturday, May 2, 2020, shortly before 6a, Lake Hallie Police were dispatched regarding a report of a subject in a ditch who appeared unresponsive.

Lake Hallie Police Officers arrived on the scene and located a male, later identified as Dennis Mohr age 60 of Eau Claire, deceased from what appeared to be injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle.

Officers located an auto part left at the scene of the crash and determined that the part came from a Hummer H2 SUV. Officers were aware of a vehicle matching this description in a nearby neighborhood and located the suspect vehicle. Lake Hallie officers and investigators from the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department spoke with Christopher J. Peterson age 38 of Lake Hallie who admitted to driving the vehicle.

Peterson was taken into custody and later charged in Chippewa County Circuit Court with Class G Felony Homicide by Negligent Operation/Vehicle and Class D Felony Hit and Run-Involve Death.

Online circuit court records show that Peterson appeared on August 2, 2022, for a sentencing hearing on a conviction of Class G Felony Homicide by Negligent Operation/Vehicle. Peterson’s charge of Class D Felony Hit and Run-Involve Death was dismissed but read in at a hearing in June 2022.

The Hon. James Isaacson ordered Peterson to serve a withheld sentence with 5 years of probation and 9 months of conditional time in county jail. Conditions of probation will require Peterson to undergo counseling. Peterson also waived his rights to challenge any evidentiary matters, according to online court records, and his phone and vehicle are to be returned.