Janesville, Wisconsin – Koty Diaz, a 32-year-old man from Janesville, has been arrested and charged with homicide by drunken use of a motor vehicle following a tragic accident early Saturday morning. The incident, which occurred around 2:14 AM at the intersection of E. Delavan Drive and Beloit Avenue, resulted in the deaths of Gretchen Walbaum, 52, from Elkhorn, and Wayne Caswell, 30, from Janesville.
According to the police report, Diaz failed to stop at a red light, leading to a severe collision with another vehicle. Both occupants of the other car, Walbaum and Caswell, lost their lives due to the impact. Diaz, who has a previous DUI record, did not pass the field sobriety tests at the scene. This marks his second offense for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Additionally, he faces charges for driving with a suspended or revoked license.
The accident site was cordoned off for nearly four hours as investigators gathered evidence, causing significant traffic disruptions in the area. Authorities are still urging anyone with more information about the incident to come forward as the case develops.
The community is deeply divided over the incident, with some expressing sympathy for Diaz and others condemning his actions. Melissa Knapp, a close friend of Diaz, shared her thoughts on Facebook, saying, "My friend Koty Diaz was in an accident… I will repeat that… an ACCIDENT… Saturday morning which with much heartbreak, 2 people did lose their lives. He himself is a hard working man, an amazing father, a good friend to everyone and loves his family very much."
However, not everyone agrees with Knapp’s perspective. Jeremy Kvamme commented, "Dude killed ’em still and was drunk. He will get a lot of time for it as he should. Sorry." Another user, Lesley Felix, added, "Drunk driving is not an accident. That’s a selfish choice that was made that costed 2 lives. There is no defending that."
As the legal proceedings continue, the tragic event has left a profound impact on the Janesville community, highlighting the devastating consequences of driving under the influence.