OWI arrest results from 3-vehicle crash

On Friday, August 5th, 2022, at 3:10 p.m., the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office received several 911 calls for a multiple vehicle crash with injuries west of Montello on STH 23 in the Town of Packwaukee.  A pickup truck traveling eastbound attempted to negotiate a curve, crossed the centerline, and struck a silver van and a small pickup truck, both traveling westbound.

The silver van was occupied by a family of five and they were all transported to the hospital for their injuries.  The small pickup truck was occupied by one person, who received minor injuries, and was not transported to the hospital.

The Marquette County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Montello Fire Department, Marquette County EMS, Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Marquette County Highway Department.

The Marquette County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Wisconsin State Patrol, are investigating the crash.  Alcohol and speed appear to be factors in this crash.

At the scene, the driver of the pickup truck traveling eastbound on STH 23 was later arrested for impaired driving. The driver is Christopher J. Becker, 67, of Wisconsin Rapids. A criminal complaint filed in Marquette County Circuit Court stated that a preliminary breath test conducted at the scene on Becker indicated a result of .248 percent.

He appeared in court on Monday, August 8th, facing one felony charge of Causing Injury by Intoxicated Use of a Vehicle, as well as five misdemeanor counts of Operating While Intoxicated Causing Injury, 1st Offense.

The court set a $2,000 cash bond with conditions including maintaining absolute sobriety, no possession of or consumption of alcohol, no contact with victims and no operating of a vehicle without a valid driver’s license. An initial appearance in circuit court is scheduled for August 22nd.

A crash on State Hwy 23, west of Montello, last Friday afternoon injured several people in two westbound vehicles that were struck when an eastbound pickup truck crossed the centerline on a curve and struck them. (Photo courtesy of Marquette County Sheriff’s Office)

Christopher Becker of Wisconsin Rapids faces charges following an August 5th crash on State Hwy 23 near Montello that injured six people. (Marquette County Sheriff’s Office photo)