A Wisconsin man will spend a decade behind bars after admitting to driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a high school senior and her beloved dog. On Thursday, 19-year-old Jason Zehe pleaded guilty in Waukesha County court to charges stemming from the December 30, 2024, crash that claimed the life of 17-year-old Megan Voss.
Online court records show Zehe was convicted of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, along with other felony counts, including second-degree reckless homicide and second-degree recklessly endangering safety. The deadly collision occurred at the intersection of Sunset Drive and Guthrie Road in Waukesha.
According to the criminal complaint, multiple witnesses described Zehe’s Dodge pickup truck speeding down Sunset “very fast” and flashing its brights just before the impact. Prosecutors said the truck blew through a stop sign, slamming into Voss’s Audi and another vehicle, ABC affiliate WISN reported.
Voss, a senior at Waukesha West High School, was rushed to a nearby hospital but tragically did not survive. Known as a dedicated cheerleader and aspiring doctor, her sudden death left the community mourning a young woman full of promise.
Investigators said Zehe initially told officers he had consumed only two alcoholic drinks earlier that evening while at his girlfriend’s parents’ home. However, police later learned a different story. According to the criminal complaint, Zehe’s girlfriend contradicted his account, telling officers, “the defendant drank all day.”
At sentencing, prosecutors emphasized the devastating impact of his choices. The judge ultimately sentenced Zehe to 10 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision, ensuring he will remain under strict watch for two decades. In addition, the court ordered Zehe to perform eight hours of community service every year on December 30, the anniversary of the crash — a symbolic reminder of the life lost.
Voss’s family, classmates, and teachers continue to grieve the loss of a vibrant teenager whose future was cut short. For many in the Waukesha community, the sentence offers some accountability but cannot erase the tragedy of a young life taken too soon.