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CRYSTAL FALLS — A Wisconsin man faces felony charges stemming from a crash that killed an Iron County Road Commission worker on Jan. 13.
Jerry Dean Mittelstadt, 57, of Argonne, Wisconsin has been charged with one count of moving violation – causing death in a work zone and/or, in the alternative, reckless driving causing death.
Both charges carry maximum penalties of 15 years in prison.
Mittelstadt also was given a third offender notice. He was previously convicted of operating while intoxicated in Jefferson County Wisconsin in both 2001 and 2006. The habitual offender notice can subject Mittelstadt to double the maximum sentence on the primary offense or a lesser term. The maximum penalty cannot be less than the maximum term for a first conviction.
According to the Michigan State Police Iron Mountain Post, investigators determined that Mittelstadt, operating a 2005 Ford Ranger pickup, failed to stop in a marked work zone striking Iron County Road Commission employee Lawrence Leonarduzzi, who was performing duties as a flagger. Mittelstadt’s vehicle pinned Leonarduzzi against a Road Commission vehicle. Leonarduzzi suffered fatal injuries at the scene.
The crash took place around 2 p.m. on Bates-Amasa Road near Shady Lane in Bates Township.
Mittelstadt suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash. He was transported by ambulance to Aspirus Iron River Hospital and was later airlifted to Aspirus Wausau for further treatment of his injuries.
A probable cause conference in the matter was scheduled for Monday in Iron County Trial Court. The Reporter will continue to report on the case as it proceeds.