Zachary Burr (Photo courtesy: Outagamie County Jail)
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Zachary Burr was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison for the drunk driving crash which killed his motorcycle passenger, Arianna Stevens.
Burr, 23, previously pleaded no contest to homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle and to hit and run involving death for the early morning crash on Aug. 11 at Taylor and Depot streets in Kaukauna.
He was also placed on extended supervision for 10 years, and was fined $1,000 by Judge Mitchell Metropulos. His driver’s license was suspended for five years, and after that an ignition interlock will be required for five years. Restitution of $27,502.23 was ordered, as well.
Before the sentence was issued, Burr apologized for the crash.
“The choices that I made that night is something that I will regret for the rest of my life. I do understand that I didn’t just hurt your family and friends, but anybody she knew. I know that I will never fully understand the magnitude of what you all are going through, and I don’t expect you to forgive me. I do want you to know, that from the bottom of my heart and with everything I have, I am truly and sincerely sorry. I know that doesn’t make up for it in any ways, but please know that I mean it,” Burr said.
The crash happened in the early morning hours of Aug. 11, according to the criminal complaint.
“It appeared as though the motorcycle had been dumped and slid along the roadway into the north curb of Taylor St before striking a power pole, and continuing to slide to its resting place in the center of the road at the intersection of Taylor/Depot,” the complaint states.
When police found Burr, he stated he had just met the Stevens and knew nothing about her.
Based on his appearance, odor and speech, officers believed he was intoxicated. Burr said he had two beers Saturday morning, but nothing since then. Later, however, Burr said had three or four beers between about midnight and 3 a.m. A preliminary breath test showed a BAC of .11, higher than the legal limit of .08, according to the complaint.
“The victim had made her way into the garage. Zachary and his brother Alex had multiple motorcycles in the garage. The victim wanted a ride on the motorcycle. Zachary said the victim had never rode on a motorcycle before. Zachary explained he tried to get the victim to wear a helmet, but she refused. Zachary also did not wear a helmet,” the complaint states. “Zachary admitted he did not have a driver’s license and does not have a motorcycle endorsement. Zachary said he has received paperwork about his license being suspended for too many speeding tickets.”
Burr told police he was going about 50 mph in a 35 mph zone, although police said that area has a 25mph speed limit.
“Zachary believes a peg hit the concrete. Zachary believed the bike hit the curb,” the complaint states. He wasn’t sure what to do after the crash, panicked, and left the scene.
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