Man Found Guilty Of Causing Girl Scouts Deaths After Entering New Plea

(DrydenWire.com) The man charged in the deaths of 3 Girl Scout Troop members and an adult female in November 2018 has plead No Contest to charges of Homicide by Intoxicated Use of a Vehicle and Hit and Run-Involve Great Bodily Harm, changing his previous plea of Not Guilty.

DrydenWire.com previously posted 5 stories about Colten Treu, who was charged with multiple counts of homicide following a crash on November 3, 2018, in Lake Hallie that resulted in 4 deaths and injuries to others [see links below].

Previous Coverage:

Treu was identified as the driver of the truck that left the roadway on County Road P near the Highway 29 overpass, crashing into a Girl Scout Troop that was picking up trash in the ditch along the roadway. Treu admitted to intentionally inhaling or “huffing” chemical vapors prior to the crash.

The case was set for a Jury Trial, and Defense Counsel for Treu filed motions for Change of Venue, stating that a fair trial could not be held in Chippewa County. The Court denied that Motion and Treu’s Defense Counsel then requested a Bench Trial in the matter, which would eliminate the use of a Jury. Online circuit court records show that Prosecutors for the State of Wisconsin did not consent to a waiver of a Jury Trial.

At a hearing on December 16, 2019, Treu changed his Not Guilty plea to No Contest on the 4 counts of Homicide by Intoxicated Use of a Vehicle (2nd +), and also changed to a plea of Guilty on 1 count of Hit and Run - Involve Great Bodily Harm and the Court found him Guilty of the 5 charges.

The remaining charges filed against Treu, including 4 counts of Hit and Run - Involve Death, Felony Bail Jump, and Intentionally Misuse Hazardous Substance were all dismissed but read in.

A 2-day Sentencing Hearing is scheduled for Treu in March 2020. The Court revoked Treu’s bond, and he remains in custody on the $250,000 cash bond that was ordered on November 5, 2018.

Last Update: Dec 17, 2019 11:00 am CST