Eau Claire (WQOW) - Age was not
a factor in determining the charges to be filed against an Eau Claire man following a crash on a bike
path. Archie Van Wormer was charged yesterday with homicide by negligent
driving and hit-and-run causing death. He is charged in the death of Kirk Cartwright.
Eau Claire County District Attorney Brian Wright did say they would not be
pursuing a cash bail due to his age.
"In this case it
was a very serious crime. Somebody is dead," said Eau Claire County
District Attorney Brian Wright.
Investigators say Archie Van Wormer
drove his small SUV off Claremont
Avenue and onto a bike path, hitting Kirk Cartwright
who was on a bicycle. Witnesses say after the collision, Van Wormer continued
driving, pushing the bike more than 350 feet. Cartwright later died. Police say
Van Wormer admitted he doesn't always wear his glasses while driving, and he
may have been on a new medication that came with a warning about taking it before
getting behind the wheel.
"We feel that the
negligence was of a high degree, for the reasons stated in the complaint. And
also that there doesn't appear to be any reason for the failure to stop when
the victim was struck," said Wright.
Wright said the laws were made to be
followed by everyone, regardless of a person's age.
"Whether an
individual is 16 years old, or 90 years old, the rules of the road apply. And
in this case based on our review of the investigation that was done, we felt
that these charges were appropriate," Wright said.
The district attorney says he'll ask
for a signature bond with restrictions.
"We don't believe
that Mr. Van Wormer is a present danger to the community, provided that he is
not driving," said Wright.
Van Wormer is scheduled to appear in
court on Thursday at 11 a.m.
