MONROE — A 28-year-old Argyle man charged with reckless homicide in the tragic traffic death of a Colony Brands worker last February may be nearing a plea agreement and is unlikely to go to trial.

That is according to court records detailing the Thursday appearance by defendant Cole D. Syvrud in Green County Circuit Court before Judge Faun M. Phillipson.

Authorities said the Ford F450 truck Syvrud was driving was backing up in a parking lot in the 1100 block of 7th Avenue just before 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2 when he struck a 28-year-old woman and Colony employee. 

The homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle charge is a class G felony punishable by a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. Following the Thursday hearing, District Attorney Craig Nolen declined to comment on details of any potential agreement. 

“A joint recommendation has been reached and are ready to move forward with a Plea/sentencing…” said the court record.

Police initially responded to the incident after receiving a report of “a person … pinned under a vehicle and may not be breathing,” police said in a statement. Despite efforts of first-responders and passersby, Carmen E. Hale, of Monroe, died of her injuries on scene. She had been walking across the parking lot during or after her shift.

The incident occurred along a driveway on the side of the building, according to the criminal complaint. He had been working at the Colony site as a contractor for an outside firm.

A plea/sentencing agreement for Syvrud is set for 2 p.m. Sept. 24.

Syvrud pleaded not guilty to the charges last May. He has been free on a $5,000 signature bond. Syvrud has no other criminal history in Wisconsin, save for a single traffic ticket, according to court records.