A 41-year-old West Allis woman has been charged after a traffic collision in Milwaukee on Sept. 5 that authorities say killed two Marquette University men's lacrosse players and injured three of their teammates.
Amandria Brunner was charged with two counts of homicide by an intoxicated use of a vehicle while having a prior intoxicant-related conviction, the criminal complaint said. If convicted on both counts, she faces up to 80 years in prison.
According to the complaint, Brunner attempted to turn left in front of an SUV that was carrying six members of the Marquette men's lacrosse team to a thrift store. Scott Michaud, 19, a sophomore goalie from Springboro, Ohio, and Noah Snyder, 20, a sophomore attackman from Irving, New York, were pronounced dead at the scene. Three other players were taken to hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
A witness told police she helped Brunner out of her pickup and noticed the smell of alcohol; the witness also said Brunner repeatedly tried to put gum in her mouth, the complaint said. Officers found an open beer can in Brunner's truck, and a blood sample drawn about two hours after the crash showed a blood alcohol content of 0.133, above Wisconsin's legal limit of 0.08.
Data from Brunner's vehicle crash recorder indicated she had been stopped about three seconds before pulling into the intersection, the complaint said. The recorder showed the accelerator was depressed almost fully as she entered the intersection, and she was traveling just under 12 mph (19 kph) when the pickup struck the SUV; investigators said she never applied the brakes.
Brunner was previously convicted of operating while intoxicated in November 2003, the complaint added.
Marquette University held a Mass on campus to honor Michaud and Snyder and canceled all home athletic events following the deaths. University President Kimo Ah Yun released a statement asking the community to keep the players' families and teammates in their prayers and noting both students had been named to the Big East All-Academic Team for maintaining at least a 3.0 grade-point average.
World Lacrosse, the sport's international governing body, issued a tribute noting Snyder had represented the Haudenosaunee at the recent World Lacrosse Men's U20 Championship and praising both players for their contributions to the sport. Snyder appeared in 13 of Marquette's 14 games last season, making three starts and collecting nine goals and seven assists, the university said.
Authorities say the SUV was carrying six team members when the collision occurred. State and local investigators filed the criminal complaint outlining the blood-alcohol result, the presence of an open beer can, witness statements and data retrieved from Brunner's vehicle recorder. The complaint is part of the prosecution's case; court proceedings are pending.
The deaths have prompted an outpouring of condolences from teammates, coaches and lacrosse officials. The university and athletics department have said support services are being made available to students and staff affected by the incident.