Executive Summary
- Rebecca Salomon faces sentencing Monday for a fatal DUI crash in Washington County.
- Salomon pled no contest to homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle; a second charge was dismissed.
- Prosecutors have recommended a 10-year prison sentence, with a statutory maximum of 25 years.
Rebecca Salomon, a former elementary school administrator from Whitefish Bay, is scheduled to appear in Washington County Court on Monday for sentencing in connection with a fatal drunk-driving crash that resulted in the death of a 75-year-old man. The hearing marks the conclusion of the legal proceedings following the incident which occurred nearly a year ago.
According to the criminal complaint, Salomon was operating a vehicle on December 29, 2024, after consuming alcohol at Lucky Shots tavern in West Bend. Investigators reported that she ran a stop sign and struck another vehicle, killing the driver, identified as Dave Cournia. Court filings state that Salomon failed field sobriety tests administered at the scene, and subsequent testing registered her blood-alcohol content at 0.10.
In September, Salomon entered a plea of no contest to one count of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. As part of a plea agreement detailed in court records, prosecutors dismissed a second count alleging homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration. During the plea hearing, prosecutors recommended a 10-year prison sentence, though sentencing guidelines indicate she could face a maximum of 25 years in prison.
Judicial Proceedings
The sentencing phase allows the court to determine the appropriate penalty based on statutory guidelines, the severity of the offense, and the plea agreement terms. While prosecutors have suggested a 10-year term, the presiding judge retains the discretion to impose a sentence up to the statutory maximum of 25 years. This hearing represents the final adjudication step in the criminal case. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
