Story originally printed in the Winona Daily News or online at www.winonadailynews.com

Published - Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Judge sentences man to 10 years in prison for fatal hit-and-run

By Dan Springer / Lee Newspapers

WHITEHALL, Wis. — An Arcadia, Wis., man will serve 10 years in prison for driving a car that ran over and killed another man who was trying to pull a vehicle from a ditch near Arcadia early Dec. 8.

Luis A. Hernandez-Blancas, 23, who is in the country illegally, was sentenced Monday by Trempealeau County District Judge John Damon for felony hit and run causing death.

Arnie J. Loewenhagen, 59, also of Arcadia, was on his back between vehicles just after midnight Dec. 8, working to attach a tow line, when Hernandez-Blancas’ car came south on Highway 93, swerved to the right, hit Loewenhagen’s vehicle, ran over Loewenhagen and smashed into the second vehicle, according to court records.

Hernandez-Blancas and a passenger in his vehicle then ran through a snow-covered field as witnesses yelled for them to stop.

Hernandez-Blancas later told police he did not know someone was hurt and did not understand what people were saying to him.

But Trempealeau County District Attorney Jeri Marsolek disputed that, saying Hernandez-Blancas’ passenger stepped over Loewenhagen’s body after getting out of the vehicle.

Defense attorney Christopher Zachar sought a lighter sentence, arguing Hernandez-Blancas cooperated with police, showed remorse, had no previous record and was not speeding or driving recklessly before the crash.

Hernandez-Blancas came to the U.S. illegally to support his parents and siblings still in Mexico, Zachar said.

Zachar called the crash “tragic” and said because of the way Loewenhagen’s vehicle was parked, Hernandez-Blancas swerved to avoid what he thought was an oncoming vehicle.

Damon, however, pointed out a semi-trailer truck had passed shortly before the crash without incident, proving the crash could have been avoided.

In begging for forgiveness from Loewenhagen’s family and the judge, Hernandez-Blancas said he did not mean to hurt anyone, and he was sorry for what happened.

Marsolek said Hernandez-Blancas likely will be deported when released from prison.

Dan Springer can be reached at dspringer@lacrossetribune.com or (608) 791-8269.