Witnesses come forward, man charged with homicide

Driver lied about driving, racing down highway

sSPARTA, Wis. – Homicide charges are being filed after witnesses have come forward in a car crash.

Monroe County District Attorney, Kevin Croninger, said that 23-year-old Channing Mathews of Sparta has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide from an accident that killed 26-year-old Ryan Johnson back in March.

Mathews apparently told police that Johnson was the one that was driving but witnesses have come forward saying, no, Mathews was the driver.

Another witness said they saw cars racing side-by-side on Hwy. 71 near the Jackson County line before the crash.

Mathews blood alcohol level was .079. Croninger said Mathews had both alcohol and marijuana in his system at the time of the crash.

He is charged with second-degree reckless homicide, homicide by intoxication of a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance and obstructing an officer.