By Andrew Sheeler
AUGUST 21, 2015
A Goodrich man is facing criminal charges in connection with the July 25 death of Bismarck man Cole R. Weckerly, resulting from an all-terrain vehicle accident.
Damon John Tessmann was charged in South Central District Court in Sheridan County with felony criminal vehicular homicide and misdemeanor driving under the influence. If convicted on the felony, Tessmann could receive up to 20 years in prison.
According to the accident report, Tessmann was driving an ATV, with Weckerly as passenger, leaving a bar in Martin on their way east to Selz.
At one point, Tessmann said he intentionally accelerated in order to fishtail. When he tried to regain control of the vehicle, he overcorrected, causing the vehicle to overturn.
Weckerly was partially ejected and sustained fatal injuries, according to the report.
Tessmann received minor injuries in the crash and was taken by ambulance to Harvey. He allegedly admitted to a Sheridan County Sheriff's Department deputy that he had consumed alcohol, but did not know how much.
His blood alcohol content later was determined to be 0.15, nearly twice the legal limit, according to the report.