Alex Gazda, 23, broke four ribs, a leg, an ankle, and his pelvis in a December crash that killed Daniel Kriste, 20, of Anitoch, IL, formerly of Trevor. The injuries have kept Gazda from being able to walk, a requirement for being kept at the Kenosha County Jail.
Gazda appeared in a wheelchair Thursday in Kenosha County Circuit Court, his legs no longer at odd angles because of casts or splints. Apparently, his condition had improved enough that he would no longer need nursing home care. Gazda was to be transferred to the county jail after his hearing Thursday. Kenosha Sheriff's Sgt. Horace Staples said.
The transfer should reduce what sheriff's officials have calculated as $40,495.89 in housing and medial costs since Jan. 17, the day Gazda was ordered held in custody on a $20,000 cash bond.
Of those costs, a total of $23, 219.66 were paid as straight time. Another $12,206 was paid as overtime, Staples reported. Both figures include wages and benefits.
Another roughly $5,070 has been billed for medical expenses, including $233.30 for ambulance fees, $47.03 for a doctor, and about $4,800 for a two-night stay at Kenosha Hospital Medical Center. The report did not include figures for Gazda's nursing home care and other medical expenses.
Defense attorney Chad Kerkman asked for a reduction to Gazda's bond partly to save taxpayers expense, which Sheriff David Beth feared could reach $100,000 - the amount budgeted for outside jail medical care for all prisoners this year - if Gazda continued nursing home care.
Costs for Gazda's medical care and housing fell to the Sheriff's Department after Gazda was ordered held on bond. Gazda has been living at a Waterford nursing since about Jan. 20. Deputies guarded Gazda 24 hours each day.
Kerkman asked for a signature bond Thursday, the same day Kenosha County District Attorney Robert D. Zapf demanded Gazda have a a trail within 90 days.
Kenosha County Circuit Judge S. Michael Wilk DENIED, Kerkman's request, but accomodated Zapf. A jury trial is scheduled for May 15.
Kerkman asked for a change in the bond because he did not feel Gazda was a flight risk. Gazda's injuries and physical therapy were incentive to stay in the area and appear in court to answer to charges for alleged homocide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle, he said.
But, Kenosha County District Attorney Robert D. Zapf argued, a potential prison of 85 years could be enough to prompt Gazda to flee.
Wilk agreed. He also said it was not the court's job to set bonds to mitigate costs to the Sheriff's Department. Only county officials can address such taxpayer expenses,Wilk said.
"The county has to come forward, and the county is silent on the issue," he said.
Wilk said Gazda's bond was "moderate" given the homicide charge.
Kerkman asked Wilk to consider a property bond, but Wilk said he would not entertain that without a written motion. Kerkman said incourt that one of Gazda's relatives could post $50,000 equtiy in a trailer as bond.
No property bond motion had been filed as of Thursday afternoon according to court records
Article written by Jessica Hansen
Make the decision not to drink and drive.
People need to to realize an accident could happen to them. While some cases involve being a drunk driver's passenger, the Kirst family's loss did not invlove the decision to get into a drunken driver's car.
They lost their son, brother, fiance, without him making a decision. Drinking and driving is totally inexcusable and perfectly preventable. Please think before you drink. Don't forget to tell this to your kids and your peers.
Natalia Martinez
