(Lowell) A Sun Prairie man accused of causing a crash that killed a horse and buggy operator in Dodge County two years ago has been arraigned. Eric Schmoldt entered a plea of not guilty to a felony count of Homicide by Negligent Operation of a Vehicle.
Sheriff’s deputies were called to the crash scene on Highway 16/60 near Highway J in the town of Lowell in September of 2021. They found a mangled horse drawn buggy in the ditch and nearby was a damaged SUV.
The SUV’s driver, reportedly identified as Schmoldt, told authorities he lowered his visor because of the sunlight. He allegedly said that he set the cruise control and (quote) “couldn’t see a heck of a lot.” According to the complaint, Schmoldt added that he was not aware he struck the horse and buggy and thought he had hit a speed limit sign.
The defendant reportedly sent a text message in the moments following the crash saying, “just got into another car accident…this time it was my fault.” The complaint states that the SUV struck the horse and buggy, which was travelling in the same direction, while attempting to pass it.
If convicted, the 37-year-old faces up to 10 years in prison.
