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BREAKING: Dees convicted in crash that killed Lake Geneva 9-year-old

Photo

Carter Dorwin

Jeremy Dees chokes back tears as Walworth County Judge John Race announces the conviction in the crash that killed 9-year-old Carter Dorwin. Dan Plutchak/WalworthCountyToday.com.

ELKHORN -- Jeremy Dees pleaded no contest Friday afternoon, and was convicted of killing 9-year-old Carter Dorwin in a Nov. 16, 2010 crash in Geneva Township.

Over the objections of his attorney, James Duquette, Dees pleaded no contest to three charges stemming from the crash.

Duquette said Dees, 33, wanted to avoid putting the Dorwin family through a trial.

Walworth County Judge John Race convicted Dees of one count of homicide by negligent operation of a motor vehicle in the death of Carter Dorwin.

Dees also was convicted of two counts of reckless driving causing injury for injuries sustained by Carter's mother, Nicole, and Carter's brother, Bradley.

The charges are connected to the Nov. 16 fatal crash in which Dees’ Jeep twice swerved into the oncoming traffic lane on County H north of Lake Geneva and smashed into a car whose driver tried but failed to swerve out of the way, according to a criminal complaint.

The Jeep crashed into the portion of the car where Carter was seated.

Dees claimed he had no memory of the crash. He was critically injured but appeared to be in good health during his court appearance Friday.

Dees will be sentenced at 1:15 p.m. April 7, 2011.

Read more in Saturday's Walworth County Gazette, online in the Gazette e-edition HERE, or check WalworthCountyToday.com Saturday after 4 p.m.