Caledonia man pleads no contest to OWI crash that killed a father and his 9-year-old daughter

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Caledonia man accused of driving drunk and rear-ending a car, eventually killing a father and his young daughter pleaded no contest to two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, with a prior conviction.

In November of 2016, police say Levi Ruohonen admitted to drinking at a hockey game and at a strip club before getting in his vehicle and crashing into a car eventually killing Kevin Dalley and his 9-year-old daughter Emily.

Another family member was also hurt in the crash.

Monday in court, Ruohonen’s attorney says Ruohonen takes full responsibility for what happened but is pleading no contest because he is also being sued by the victims’ family and is working to settle that case.

“Mr. Ruohonen does this only on the advice of counsel and actually has been through counsel outreaching to the plaintiff’s attorney in that matter and through the insurance adjuster as well in an effort to add to the settlement and resolve the claim in full,” said Craig Mastantuono, Attorney for Ruohonen.

Ruohonen faces a maximum sentence of 40 years.

He will be back in court on February 23.