BURNETT COUNTY -- The Court has sentenced a Siren, WI man on convictions stemming from a fatal OWI crash that occurred in Siren, WI, in September 2019.
In September 2019, DrydenWire.com published a press release from the Siren Police Department which stated that a 79-year old man was deceased after being struck by a vehicle in front of the Dollar General store in Siren, WI.
The criminal complaint filed against Olson states that a witness saw a man follow a small dog run that had run across the highway. The man was fatally struck by a green Jeep. The deceased was identified as Jerald Mechelke. The driver of the Jeep was identified as Robert D. Olson, of Siren, WI.
DrydenWire.com reported on July 6, 2020, that Olson was facing charges of Class D Felony Homicide By Use Of Vehicle - Controlled Substance; Class I Felony Possession of THC (Marijuana) - 2nd offense; Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; and 4 charges of Class H Felony Bail Jumping.
At the scene of the crash, Officers did not observe any signs of impairment from Olson according to the criminal complaint filed against him, and Olson denied being under the influence of alcohol or any drugs. Marijuana and a marijuana grinder were located in the green Jeep, and Olson was taken into custody for possession of Marijuana.
Olson agreed to provide a sample of blood for testing, and the results of that testing showed the presence of Methamphetamine, Marijuana, and Amphetamine in Olson’s blood.
Online circuit court records show that a jury trial was scheduled to be held in July 2021 on Olson’s case, however, at a hearing on June 3, 2021, Olson entered pleas of guilty to an amended charge of Class F Felony Injury By Use Of Vehicle - Great Bodily Harm with a Detectable Amount of a Restricted/Controlled Substance; a charge of Class I Felony Possession of THC (2nd+ Offense); and 1 charge of Class H Felony Bail Jumping. Details regarding the reason for the amended charge were not listed in online court records.
Olson also entered pleas of Guilty on two additional charges of Class H Felony Bail Jumping that were filed against him in September 2020 and February 2021 in two separate Burnett County cases. The remaining charges against Olson were dismissed and read-in. Olson’s bond was revoked at the June 3, 2021 hearing, and he was taken into custody to await his sentencing.
A sentencing hearing was held on August 16, 2021, for Olson and the Court ordered a 9-year sentence on Olson’s conviction of Class F Felony Injury By Use Of Vehicle - Great Bodily Harm with a Detectable Amount of a Restricted/Controlled Substance; 5 years of initial confinement in state prison, to be followed by 4 years of extended supervision. For each conviction of Class H Felony Bail Jumping, the Court ordered a 6-year sentence; 3 years of initial confinement, followed by 3 years of extended supervision. For the conviction of Class I Felony Possession of THC (2nd+ Offense), the Court ordered a sentence of 3 1/2 years; 1 1/2 years of initial confinement followed by 2 years of extended supervision.
The Court ordered that Olson will serve all sentences concurrently. Conditions of his supervision will require him to maintain absolute sobriety, maintain gainful employment, undergo alcohol and other drug assessment, and follow through with programming. Olson’s driver’s license was ordered to be revoked for 5 years following his release from prison. Online court records show that Olson has paid $7,000 in fines and court costs.
Last Update: Aug 18, 2021 9:54 am CDT
