WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, SportsLATEST: Weston man sentenced for drunk driving death

LATEST: Weston man sentenced for drunk driving death

by Meg Bonacorsi

MARATHON COUNTY (WAOW) -- A Weston man will spend five years behind bars for killing an Oshkosh man in a drunk driving crash.

Last June police say 23-year-old Matthew Vissers had too much to drink while celebrating his birthday, got behind the wheel of his truck and crashed into the motorcycle of 41-year-old Greg Davis, killing him.

Friends and families of Davis packed this Marathon County Courtroom, several, sharing their grief with the man responsible for his death.

Davis's brother Steve says, "I hope you think of Greg often as we all do.  If you wish to do something to make up for what you've done, to Greg and all of us.  Be the kind of person Greg was.  Be loving, be generous, and help other people every day."

Vissers pleaded no contest to the charges brought against him and reached a deal with prosecutors.

Marathon County Judge Vincent Howard determined 5 years behind bars with 10 years on extended supervision is an appropriate punishment.

The judge based his decision on the severity of the crime, the threat to the public, and Vissers' character as shared by family and friends.

Howard says, "They describe him as honest, kindhearted, thoughtful and a caring individual with rather simple pleasures, having a fishing pole in his hand for example. That he was basically a happy individual and brought joy to their life."

Davis leaves behind 3 children.  Before handing down his sentence, Vissers got the chance to apologize for what he did.

"Dear Judge Howard and the Davis family, I am so sorry for the cause of death of Greg and if I could take it back I would."

Vissers initially faced up to 40 years in prison.  His alcohol content was more than 3 times the legal limit at the time of the crash.

Online Reporter: Meg Bonacorsi