Muskego, WI – A 47-year-old Wisconsin man is facing first-degree reckless homicide and other serious charges after allegedly crashing his car into a ditch while intoxicated, then fleeing the scene and leaving his 77-year-old mother to die in the passenger seat. Police say the suspect, Casey Yiannackopoulos, was later found hiding in a crawl space at his home after the deadly crash.
The Incident: Mother Found Unconscious After Crash
The Muskego Police Department responded to a single-vehicle crash around 7:15 p.m. Sunday on the S7100 block of Hillendale Drive, a residential area in the Milwaukee suburb.
When officers arrived, they found a 77-year-old woman — later identified as the suspect’s mother — unconscious but breathing in the front passenger seat. She was the only person in the car, and the driver was nowhere to be found.
Emergency responders had to break through the front and rear passenger windows to remove the woman from the vehicle. She was taken to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead about an hour later, according to police. Her name has not yet been released.
Witnesses told investigators that Yiannackopoulos ran from the crash site, appearing unsteady on his feet and smelling of alcohol. One witness recalled him saying he was going to get help — but he never did.
Investigation and Evidence Collected
A probable cause affidavit revealed that home surveillance footage captured the crash, showing Yiannackopoulos driving about 50 mph in a 30 mph zone before veering off the road and crashing into a ditch.
Police said several witnesses saw him flee the scene on foot. The video evidence, combined with eyewitness accounts, led investigators to suspect intoxication and reckless driving as key factors in the deadly crash.
Authorities later discovered that the suspect’s mother lived just down the street from the crash site. When officers entered the home, they noticed a ladder leading to a crawl space with the plywood door slightly open.
“He refused to come down and yelled and cursed at officers,” the affidavit stated.
At around 10:45 p.m., nearly three hours after the crash, police deployed a drone to look inside the crawl space. The drone’s camera showed Yiannackopoulos hiding under blankets and a plastic bin cover.
Officers had to physically remove him from the space before taking him into custody. Police noted that he had bloodshot, glassy eyes and smelled strongly of alcohol.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Yiannackopoulos has been charged with:
- First-degree reckless homicide
- Hit-and-run involving death
- Two counts of resisting or obstructing an officer
He allegedly told officers, “It was an accident,” and claimed he would have been “way more cooperative” had he known his mother had died at the scene.
A blood sample was taken at the hospital, and toxicology results are pending, police said.
In his first court appearance, Court Commissioner Daniel Rieck expressed disbelief at Yiannackopoulos’ actions, calling them “depraved.”
“This went from driving while drunk, having what one would presume is a very unfortunate, traumatic accident, losing your mother, but then quite literally leaving her to die,” Rieck said. “Why? Because you didn’t want to get in trouble.”
Yiannackopoulos is currently held in the Waukesha County Jail on a $750,000 bond, and his next court date is scheduled for Thursday.
Statements and Reactions
Authorities said the case illustrates the tragic consequences of impaired driving and the moral responsibility drivers bear for their passengers’ safety. Muskego Police Chief Rick Rens called the situation “a preventable tragedy that cost an innocent life.”
Local residents expressed shock over the incident, saying it has shaken their normally quiet neighborhood. “It’s heartbreaking,” one neighbor said. “You can’t imagine leaving your own parent like that.”
Community advocates have used the case to highlight the dangers of drunk driving and the need for public awareness campaigns to prevent future tragedies.
Background and Legal Context
Under Wisconsin law, first-degree reckless homicide carries a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison. Combined with the hit-and-run and obstruction charges, Yiannackopoulos could face decades behind bars if convicted on all counts.
Drunk driving continues to be a leading cause of traffic-related deaths in Wisconsin. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, nearly 40% of fatal crashes in the state involve alcohol impairment.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities await toxicology results to confirm the suspect’s blood alcohol content. Prosecutors are expected to present additional evidence, including crash footage and witness statements, at the upcoming court hearing.
Funeral arrangements for the victim have not yet been announced, and police say the family has requested privacy as they grieve.
Conclusion
The Muskego crash serves as a devastating reminder of the human toll of drunk driving and the irreversible consequences of one man’s choices. As the case proceeds through court, prosecutors say they will seek full accountability for a tragedy that claimed a mother’s life and left a community in shock.
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