A community in Wisconsin is mourning after a suspected drunk driver crashed into a car carrying four siblings, killing them all. The tragic incident happened while the children were out Christmas shopping.
The victims, Daniel Gonzalez, 26, Fabian Gonzalez, 23 Lilian Gonzalez, 14, and Daniela Gonzalez, 9, were killed on December 16 in Weyauwega. The police arrested Scott Farmer, 47, shortly after the crash. He has been charged with four counts of homicide by intoxicated use of vehicle, among other charges.
“My wife will never be the same, but with strength, we will be good,” said Kurt Schilling, the victims’ stepfather.
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The family was just three miles from home when the accident occurred. “All were beyond lifesaving measures and were pronounced deceased at the scene,” said Waupaca County Capt. Todd G. Rasmussen.
The children’s mother, Paulina, who immigrated from Ecuador, had a combined family with Schilling. Schilling also has four children from a previous marriage. “Our house was a true home. Very blessed by God and by being a very united family,” Kurt Schilling said. “And we’re a very close family.”
Paulina, in a chat with Fox 11, shared that her sons, Daniel Gonzalez, 25, and Fabian Gonzalez, 23, were music lovers.
She said: “They both spent a lot of time together because they worked together on the same schedule.” Her daughter, Lilian Gonzalez, 14, was a freshman at Weyauwega-Fremont High School. Paulina revealed, “Lilian wanted to be a teacher.” The youngest, Daniela Gonzalez, 9, was in fourth grade. “She loved and really wanted to be a cheerleader,” her mum added.
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A criminal complaint reveals Farmer had previous arrests for driving under the influence. Police received reports of a car going the wrong way just minutes before the crash. Deputy Malueg, the first responder, found a vodka bottle next to Farmer in the front seat. He noted a “strong odor of intoxicants” and Farmer’s “thick, slurred, speech.”
Farmer could face a $25,000 fine per charge and a 10-year prison sentence under Wisconsin state laws. Kurt Shilling said in an interview, “All I would say is, that he and all people who might drink for many bad reasons, to excess, or other drugs, would be responsible and think of others, because you really destroyed our lives.”
The parents shared that their kids were coming back from their usual Saturday fun. “The big brothers would always treat their sisters to Culver’s and then drop them off here, go to bed, be in church in the morning, that kind of thing. It was the Saturday tradition,” said Kurt Schilling.
Before the police got there, two people came to check on the kids in the car. They kept the officers updated and made sure an ambulance was on its way. “Knowing that they were all siblings was just heart-wrenching and we just wanted to hug everyone, offer our condolences and let them know that we were there holding their hands, whether they were helped or not,” Shelby Strahl mentioned.
“Their children were not alone and they were being given great praises and wake up and we were there,” Farah Krueger, who is Shelby’s twin, added.
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