Woman killed by repeat DUI offender in Chevy Silverado after funeral: Police

A Wisconsin resident with a past of drunk driving is now accused of causing a deadly accident.

Kirk Johnson, 46, faces charges of homicide due to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, related to an incident in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, on a recent Saturday. 

As per a criminal complaint obtained by the local NBC affiliate WQOW, Johnson was at the wheel of a Chevrolet Silverado when he struck a Subaru SUV with two women inside. Tragically, one of the women, 56-year-old Kimberly Clark, lost her life.

Authorities stated Clark was found unresponsive in the SUV's front passenger seat. She was pronounced dead at the site. 

The SUV's driver, whose identity remains undisclosed, informed the police they were returning from a funeral when the collision occurred. 

She noted she saw the Silverado move into her lane and attempted to steer away, but ran out of time.

The complaint specifies that witnesses confirmed the SUV driver's account. They also reported to the police that they assumed Johnson was "obviously drunk."

Police questioned Johnson at the scene, where he admitted to consuming one or two beers hours before the accident. 

Officials noted that he exhibited clear signs of impairment during a field sobriety examination. A breath test allegedly indicated Johnson's blood alcohol content was 0.207, significantly exceeding the legal limit.

WQOW disclosed that Johnson has five prior convictions for driving while intoxicated, dating back to June 2000. His latest conviction occurred in 2019.

Johnson faces charges for causing homicide by operating a vehicle under the influence. 

He is currently detained at the Eau Claire County Jail, with a $100,000 cash bond set along with specific conditions. His upcoming court hearing is slated for June 15.