Police questioning of driver in fatal Onalaska crash could affect vehicular homicide case

Evidence from a fatal car accident from two years ago, and police procedures in the investigation, are being examined in La Crosse County court, at hearings for driver Savannah Myers.

On Tuesday, a La Crosse County sheriff’s deputy was questioned in court about his investigation of the 2023 crash in Onalaska, in which passenger Josh Hernandez died after being thrown from the vehicle. Defense attorney Chris Zachar asked Deputy Trevor Carlson about his contact with an injured Myers, and about whether he had advised her of Miranda rights before asking her about the crash. Carlson’s body-cam footage of Myers being questioned after the accident was shown during the court hearing. The concern about the police investigation could affect what statements made by Myers might be admitted as evidence during a trial. The deputy said he made a conscious decision in this case not to read the Miranda rights to Myers.

Myers is charged with eight felony counts, vehicular homicide and drunk driving in the deadly accident. Her two young children also were passengers in the car, and were injured. Judge Elliott Levine also is being asked to suppress evidence about a blood sample taken from Myers. Tuesday’s session was a continuation of a court hearing that began in December. The hearing resumes on March 11th.