Washington County, WI – A 48-year-old Florida man was arrested in Darien, Illinois, on Sunday morning, January 9, 2022, by Washington County Sheriff investigators with the assistance of local authorities in connection with a fatal traffic accident that occurred Friday night, January 7, 2022, around 8 p.m. on Highway 45 near Hwy 60.
Thony Renelique remains in custody in Du Page County, Illinois, awaiting extradition back to Wisconsin. Renelique has been charged with homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle. If found guilty, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
Renelique told investigators on the night of the accident that he was driving his semi-tractor trailer northbound on Highway 45 approaching Hwy 60. Renelique said he began to slow down to exit when he was rear-ended by a northbound van. Evidence at the scene was not consistent with that version of events, but Renelique continued to say he was driving northbound around 40 mph when hit.
Authorities continued the investigation throughout the weekend. On Saturday, January 8, 2022, investigators obtained surveillance video from a local business that confirmed the investigator’s suspicions. Renelique had missed his exit and came to a complete stop in the lane of traffic. He activated his hazard lights and then began a backing maneuver on the highway. While backing up on the freeway the trailer was struck. The victim, a 49-year-old West Bend man was killed.
On Saturday, January 8, 2022, investigators attempted to find Renelique again. Investigators learned that he had left the area. He was eventually tracked to the Chicago area. Investigators traveled to Illinois late Saturday and were able to locate him. He confessed to authorities and said he lied because he was in shock.
Washington County Sheriff Martin Schulteis expressed his appreciation for the support our agency received from witnesses, local businesses, the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies. “These professional partnerships enabled this rapidly-evolving investigation to culminate with an arrest being made out of state within 48 hours. This was a tragic incident that impacted many. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by this.”
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