Case Explained:This article breaks down the legal background, charges, and implications of Case Explained: Khoune Louangsisongkham pleads guilty in 2024 head-on Green Bay crash – Legal Perspective
How does Wisconsin’s criminal court process work?
How does Wisconsin’s criminal court process work?
A Luxemburg man pleaded guilty Jan. 26 to causing great harm by the intoxicated use of a vehicle in a September 2024 head-on crash in Green Bay that severely injured two people.
Khoune Louangsisongkham, 64, was charged May 8 with six felonies and two misdemeanors including a second-offense OWI, injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle, injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration and knowingly operating while suspended.
Louangsisongkham pleaded guilty to two counts of injury by the intoxicated use of a vehicle, causing great bodily harm. The rest of the charges were dismissed through a plea agreement.
Just before 1:45 a.m. Sept. 1, 2024, Green Bay police officers were dispatched to the area of Sturgeon Bay Road and Algoma Road for a car crash, according to a criminal complaint. On arrival, officers identified two involved vehicles: a Cadillac with two people inside and a Chevrolet driven by Louangsisongkham.
Officers believed Louangsisongkham was driving the wrong way on the highway, traveling at high speeds, when he struck the Cadillac head-on, the complaint said. Both vehicles had heavy damage to the front and the victims told police they didn’t see Louangsisongkham coming.
A blood test taken from Louangsisongkham around 4:30 a.m. showed a blood alcohol content of 0.169%, the complaint said. The legal limit for drivers is 0.08%.
The driver of the Cadillac had a broken foot and hand, both of which required surgery, as well as four broken vertebrae in her back, the complaint said. She said her left eye was impaired and the tendons which hold the retina are damaged, causing “a line” to sometimes “float around” in her vision that doctors told her may go away, but may not. She was also diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder since the incident.
The passenger sustained a broken vertebrae in her neck, fractured ankle, broken elbow, 14 of her 24 ribs were broken and her lung collapsed, the complaint said. She was bleeding internally and required removal of some of her small intestine and her appendix. She said she spent four weeks in the intensive care unit and an additional 3½ weeks in the hospital.
Louangsisongkham returns to court March 23 to be sentenced. He faces up to 15 years in prison.
Vivian Barrett is the public safety reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. You can reach her at vmbarrett@usatodayco.com or (920) 431-8314.