Driver Paid Fines in Sheriff's Deputy Crash

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Driver Paid Fines in Sheriff's Deputy Crash

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Posted: 3:11 PM May 13, 2008
Last Updated: 3:45 PM May 13, 2008

17 comments

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The driver of the car that hit and killed Chippewa County Deputy Jason Zunker has paid her fines resulting from the crash.

Erika Kressin was charged with failure to change lanes for an emergency vehicle and inattentive driving.

Her fines totaled more than $420.

In January, Kressin hit and killed Deputy Zunker after he was setting up cones and flares after a semi accident on Highway 53 near Bloomer.

A report determined that there was not enough evidence to charge Kressin with homicide by negligent use of a vehicle.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: peggy Location: wausau wis on May 22, 2008 at 01:40 PM
deputy jason zunker is my nephew I agree completely if it was a man an older man there would be no compasion for him he would have gotten way more then her for the record WE jasons family will never get over this EVER we got a life sentence with out question

Posted by: Heather Location: EC on May 15, 2008 at 11:19 AM
I agree, the girl did the crime. But ya know what she paid for it. I am just upset that it takes 6-7, sometimes even 10 OWI's for a person to get any kind of jail time or major fine. What I had said below was not meant to be disrespectful to the family and has nothing to do do with how I feel about law enforcement. My sister is in law enforcement. I say a prayer for her everyday. Sometimes I just feel they go overboard with some stories on the news then others.

Posted by: L. W. Garren Location: Monroe, NC on May 14, 2008 at 04:51 PM
"Rubbernecking" is often the cause of crashes like these. Drivers are so interested in seeing "what is going on" during a traffic stop, etc., when an officer has a car pulled over with emergency lights flashing. Many drivers just drive right into the officers or vehicles on the side of the road. I am a retired police officer (over 30 years service) and have almost been struck many times by inattentive drivers. That is plain negligence when that occurs. I didn't investigate this one but all I can hope for is that the agency/officers that did investigate it did a good job for all concerned. $420.00 in fines is not alot. I'll say a prayer for the officer and his family.

Posted by: Josh Location: Eau Claire on May 14, 2008 at 03:31 PM
You need to break a law to get a ticket and with that ticket the driver's "individual right to privacy" ends.

Posted by: John Location: Eau Claire on May 14, 2008 at 12:39 PM
It's going to take a whole lot more than gossipping about a girl (who certainly must feel awful enough for her mistake by this time) paying her fine to improve the skills of drivers in Wisconsin. And gossip does not demonstrate support for law enforcement. Whether she paid her fine or not is nobody's business but the girl's and that of the Court. Period.

Posted by: Deborah Location: Fall Creek on May 14, 2008 at 12:37 PM
News is news. Reporters are suppose to follow through with stories that have been reported on but not concluded. Erika, paying her fine, is the conclusion.

Posted by: Deanne Location: Eau Claire on May 14, 2008 at 10:11 AM
If reporting on this reminds inattentive drivers to get attentive then we need to hear this over and over. Driving is a priviledge and you need to give 100 per cent attention when you are on the road, with the lives of others, in your hands. WEAU is doing a good job of keeping us informed. This is important.

Posted by: Robert Location: Eau Claire on May 14, 2008 at 09:00 AM
The reason we won't "Drop It" is because some of us take the safety of our Law Enforcement very seriously.

Posted by: John Location: Eau Claire on May 14, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Eva, You NEED to know that the driver paid her fine? Ah, I see... you're completely on top of everything in your own household now, so it's your duty to stick your nose into everyone else's? Get a life.

Posted by: John Location: Eau Claire on May 13, 2008 at 08:41 PM
I agree... will you guys DROP it already? I don't feel one less shred of compassion today for Deputy Zunker's family and for the poor kid driving than I did when I first heard this story. But that poor girl will relive the tragedy every day of her life WITHOUT being publicly humiliated by the local news media and Deputy Zunker's family will awaken every day to his absence. It was a tragic, unfortunate accident and it's time to allow those involved to put this awful tragedy behind them. There was NOTHING else newsworthy today? Shame on you, WEAU.

Posted by: Me Location: Here on May 13, 2008 at 07:45 PM
I paid a fine today too, can we all sleep better now!!!! There is probably more going on in EC and CF that we really don't need to print this kind of stuff.

Posted by: Bob Location: Chippewa on May 13, 2008 at 06:51 PM
I don't buy the "not enough evidence" What is so hard to just slow down prior to a squad car OR road crew doing their job. It makes me sick.

Posted by: Lucas Location: Chippewa falls on May 13, 2008 at 05:43 PM
Interesting, amazing that this young woman KILLED another human being by NEGLIGENT use of a vehicle. Strip her license for 5 years, put her in jail for 1 year and fine her 25,000...

Posted by: Eva Location: Eau Claire on May 13, 2008 at 04:38 PM
excuse me, Heather and Slow Day, we do need to know this. A Deputy was killed in the line of duty.

Posted by: Heather Location: EC on May 13, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Do we really need to make this public knowledge? Does this news affect anyone but the people involved? I just feel that the poor girl has suffered enough and this didn't need to be made for everyone and their brother to know.

Posted by: slow day Location: Chippewa on May 13, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Must be a slow news day if this made the news. Let's let this story rest so the familys involved can heal.

Posted by: Sue K. Location: Strum on May 13, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Inattentive driving is not enough to charge the driver with homicide by negligent use of a vehicle. Interesting. I am certain that if this had been a young man the same age as Erica, he would be facing homicide charges.