FOND DU LAC COUNTY (NBC 26) — An Appleton man has been convicted of charges related to a drunk driving crash that killed two people and injured two others, the Fond du Lac County District Attorney announced Tuesday.
District Attorney Eric J. Toney said in a statement Samuel J. Coppersmith was convicted of four felonies: homicide by intoxicated use of motor vehicle, two counts of injury by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle – great bodily harm, and knowingly operating motor vehicle while suspended – causing death.
According to the D.A., the crash happened July 19, 2020, when Coppersmith was driving a vehicle that crashed on I-41 near the area of Townline Road in the town of Friendship, in Fond du Lac County.
The crash killed two people and left another person paralyzed. Another person was also seriously injured.
D.A. Toney said two blood samples showed Coppersmith had a blood alcohol concentration of between 0.097 and 0.122. Additionally, Toney said Coppersmith had marijuana in his system.
Toney also said Coppersmith has one prior OWI conviction - causing injury - in Winnebago County.
Coppersmith now faces more than 40 years of initial confinement and 28 years of extended supervision, the District Attorney said. A sentencing date has been set for 8:30 a.m. July 6 in Fond du Lac County.
