Teen faces charges in fatal accident

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The Pierce County district attorney’s office filed a complaint Wednesday, June 6, charging 17-year-old Tanner Brown of River Falls with one count of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle and one count of reckless driving causing injury.

The charges result from a single-vehicle fatal accident that occurred May 18 on 950th Street in the town of River Falls. Sara Goldbach, 14, of River Falls died after a small truck overturned into a ditch.

Brown is scheduled to make an initial appearance in Pierce County Court July 9.

The complaint says the truck hit a bit of gravel on the side of the road. As the driver corrected, he also had to swerve to avoid an oncoming car. The investigator says evidence inside the truck indicates that the teens were not wearing seatbelts.

The complaint indicated that speed may have been a factor.

The first charge is a Class G felony that carries a maximum penalty of $25,000 and up to 10 years in prison, or both, and a possible one-year license revocation. The second charge is a misdemeanor that carries a penalty of not less than $300 or more than $2,000 and possible jail time.

Tags: river falls, area news, accidents, news, wisconsin