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Oregon man charged with homicide in death of passenger in May crash
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MONROE - The driver of a vehicle that rolled over along County E in the Town of Albany in May is now being charged with homicide for the death of his passenger.

Brett A. Leutenegger, 21, Oregon, was charged with one count of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and one count of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration as the result of an accident that killed 21-year-old Dylan J. Anderson of Oregon. Both charges are Class D felonies.

The crash was reported at 3:15 a.m. May 25 after Leutenegger apparently left the road and rolled his 1997 Chevrolet S10 pickup truck. The truck hit the ditch on the west side just north of the intersection at County E and Attica Road.

According to reports by the Green County Sheriff's Department, Leutenegger and five other individuals had been fishing along Dunphy Road earlier in the day and had been drinking alcohol. The group left in separate vehicles, but friends turned around when they noticed no headlights behind them. They found the truck lying in the ditch. Leutenegger and Anderson were lying in tall weeds, and Leutenegger reportedly asked what had happened. Witness reports said the group deduced Leutenegger and Anderson were OK and drove back to Leutenegger's residence in Oregon.

Upon returning to Leutenegger's home, the group was met by Oregon police officers. Leutenegger was cited for driving while intoxicated. Emergency Medical Services were also on scene to give Leutenegger first aid. He was transferred to St. Mary's.

Friends who had initially said Anderson was fine decided to drive him to Meriter Hospital. Reports said that when the group left with Anderson in the vehicle, they could find a pulse, but on the drive they checked once more and could not locate a heart beat. Anderson was given CPR upon arriving at the hospital but was later pronounced dead.

Autopsy results revealed Anderson died of blunt force trauma caused by a collision.

If found guilty, Leutenegger could face up to 25 years in prison and a fine of $100,000 per count. His first court appearance is set for Monday.