Reno woman faces life in prison in fatal DUI

The woman responsible for the drunken driving collision that killed 70-year-old Dayton resident Laura Staugaard in February 2020 faces up to life in prison after she admitted to vehicular homicide on Monday.

Joan Kathryn Wenger, 66, may only face one of two sentences when she appears in Douglas County District Court on Oct. 18, District Judge Tom Gregory said.

He may either sentence her to life with the possibility of parole after 10 years, or 10-25 years in prison.

Under Nevada law, Wenger is not eligible for probation.

Prosecutor AJ Hames presented evidence of three prior convictions for driving under the influence over nine years, though they all fell outside the realm of a felony third DUI.

Nevada Highway Patrol investigators found a half-full bottle of Black Velvet whiskey in the cab of Wenger’s Toyota Tacoma.

According to court documents, Wenger told a trooper she was driving from Mammoth Lakes and had three beers.

A preliminary breath test indicated a .291 blood alcohol content, while a later blood test showed a .308. The legal limit in Nevada is .08.

Wenger’s license was suspended for failure to have proof of insurance. According to the NHP, Wenger’s driving privileges had been withdrawn 26 different times since 2000.

Witnesses said the red pickup Wenger was driving was speeding up and slowing down and attempted to pass a truck on the right verge before passing it to the left.

Witnesses said the red pickup Wenger was driving was speeding up and slowing down and attempted to pass a truck on the right verge before passing it to the left.

She has been in Douglas County custody since June 3 after she was arrested on a warrant. She is being held without bail pending sentencing.

She must also under go a substance evaluation.