Lawyers on both sides of an OWI homicide case in Rock County Court hope that a prison sentence will help a Milton man receive the alcohol addiction treatment he needs.
51-year-old John Dregne had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.254 in July of 2018 when he killed his wife in a vehicle crash on Highway 26 near Milton.
He pleaded guilty in August to homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, and Rock County Judge Barbara McCrory sentenced him Tuesday to eight years in prison followed by 10 years of extended supervision.
Assistant District Attorney Jodi Dabson Bollendorf said Dregne continued drinking alcohol after the crash while trying to undergo treatment, and she believes he needs those services in a confined setting to be successful.
He apologized to the court and his wife’s family during his sentencing hearing and said he can’t forgive himself. He hopes to get further treatment and remain sober to return to society after his prison sentence.
