November 10, 2021 – Washington County, WI – Charges were filed this week against Mark Fitzgerald, 55, of Jackson in connection with the fatal accident that occurred at Pleasant Valley Road and CTH Z on October 16, 2021. Below is the criminal complain.
Fitzgerald will next appear in court December 15, 2021 at 8:15 a.m. for a position on a preliminary hearing. If convicted on all charges Fitzgerald faces up to 17 years in prison and up to $45,000 in fines.
The criminal complaint is public and graphic. Information about minors is redacted.
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Mark P. Fitzgerald Criminal Complaint
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A note from Washington County Sheriff Martin Schulteis is below.
These charges are the result of a several-week investigation conducted by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team. The investigation revealed that the suspect was driving westbound on Pleasant Valley Road at a high rate of speed. Witnesses reported that he had passed two cars in a no-passing zone before the collision.
Evidence showed that the suspects car was traveling around 76 mph seconds before impact with the victim’s southbound car. The suspect failed to stop at a stop sign even though there was a clear line of sight of the intersection.
The stop sign, as well as warning signs, were well marked. The suspect said that he did not see the victim’s car before impact and was not aware of the stop sign being there. The investigation did not reveal a reason as to why the suspect was driving in a reckless manner. The crash left Anna Severance deceased and her two daughters, ages 7 and 4, with serious injuries. Both girls are recovering from their injuries but have a long road to recovery ahead of them.
Washington County Sheriff Martin Schulteis spoke on this tragic incident. “This incident is a senseless tragedy. Two young children are without a mother and will forever live with the horrifying trauma that this crash has left them with. I am thankful to see the outpouring of support from our community and ask that you join me in offering continued prayers for their physical and emotional recovery. No one set out that day to hurt anyone, but the decision to drive recklessly can have devastating, unintended, life-altering consequences in a matter of seconds.”