Driver charged in Manitowoc fatal car crash
By: Jenn Sullivan
Updated: March 4, 2013
The 21-year-old man accused of driving drunk and crashing his car into another vehicle, killing two people appeared in Manitowoc County court Monday.
Dylan Karnitz is charged with driving a car while intoxicated and two counts of homicide along with other charges, according to police.
The crash happened Sunday at 2:45 a.m.
Police said Karnitz was driving northbound on 9th Street when he blew through a stop sign and struck a car driving on Huron Street.
Oscar Dick, Manitowoc Police Chief said "Right now it looks like the factors are alcohol, some marijuana, and speeding."
Detective Michael Stone with the Manitowoc Police Department said the speed limit is 25mph in that area and Karnitz was speeding but would not specify how fast.
Karnitz killed two of the people in the other car and severely injured one other.
24-year-old Zachary Gates and 23-year-old Christopher Mark both died on scene.
Three other people were in the car with Karnitz, none of them were hurt.
Both cars were a total loss.
"What's unusual for our department is the severity of the accident and the damage both vehicles sustained and that would believe you to think there was a higher speed involved," said Chief Dick.
"Obviously this is a very tragic situation. Our hearts go out to the families," said Det. Stone.
The OWI task force was not patroling that night, according to Chief Dick.
Karnitz is being held on a $25,000 cash bond.
If found guilty, he could face up to 25 years in prison per homicide charge along with other charges.
He's scheduled to be back in court March 11th at 2:30 p.m.
