GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A man who said he was driving because he was the “most sober” person in his vehicle was sentenced Wednesday to 16 years in prison for the drunk driving crash which killed one person and injured three others.
Terral Wallace, 30, earlier pleaded no contest to homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle, and two counts of injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle. The crash happened on I-41 near Scheuring Road on April 26, 2020.
Wallace was also placed on extended supervision for 12 years by Judge Marc Hammer. His driver’s license was also suspended for nine years upon his release.
Pursuant to Marsy’s Law, Judge Hammer ordered the media not to identify the victims who offered comments before the sentence was issued.
The brother of the woman killed lamented her death and criticized Wallace for his “careless” actions. The woman’s father said he will “never recover” from the loss of his daughter, calling the ordeal “pure hell.”
One of the passengers in the vehicle, who is now paralyzed from the waist down due to the crash, described attempting to rebuild her life while trying to recover from the injuries.
Wallace turned to the family in court and apologized for his actions, saying he would learn from the incident.
“First and foremost, I want to offer every last one of your my condolences. I never meant for any of this to happen. I take full responsibility for my actions. I’m sorry I took your daughter from you. There’s no way I can bring her back at all.”
The state and defense attorney made a joint recommendation for 12 years in prison plus 10 years of extended supervision, but the judge said that was inadequate.
Judge Hammer noted Wallace’s extensive criminal record, though nothing which had resulted in a prison sentence until now. Wallace may be remorseful and saddened by the crash, but Judge Hammer said he could not agree with the defense attorney’s assessment calling Wallace a “good person” who made a poor decision.
“When I look at the seriousness of the crime, the defendant’s character and need to protect the public, I think Mr. Wallace poses a clear and present danger to this community. I really believe that. I believe Mr. Wallace is a menace to the community,” the judge said.
According to the criminal complaint, “Wallace stated they were all at a party in Appleton and had all been drinking, and he was driving them home because he was the most sober.”
Wallace later said “he had two beers and some Hennessey.” A blood alcohol test two hours after the crash revealed a BAC of .125% — higher than the .08% limit — according to court documents.
A witness told police the victims’ vehicle rolled at least seven times.
