Michelle Engman Obituary, Death; – An individual from Oak Creek is currently facing a felony homicide charge following an alleged incident of driving under the influence, which resulted in a tragic motor vehicle collision that took the life of a local educator.
Troy Vaillancourt, aged 27, has been charged with one count of homicide due to intoxicated use of a vehicle, having a prior conviction related to intoxicants. Should he be found guilty, Vaillancourt may face a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison along with a potential fine of $100,000, as outlined in a criminal complaint submitted on December 10 in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.
In addition, if convicted, his driving privileges would be suspended for a period of five years. Michelle Engman, a teacher employed by the St. Francis School District, succumbed to injuries sustained in the incident.
The complaint details that at approximately 3 p.m. on December 6, Cudahy police were called to the intersection of East Van Norman Avenue and South Lipton Avenue in response to a reported two-vehicle accident.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a Honda Civic exhibiting significant damage to the driver’s side door and B-pillar area, with side airbags deployed. A Chevrolet Trailblazer was also found nearby, its front end severely damaged.
Investigations revealed that the collision occurred in the intersection, with the Trailblazer traveling south on South Lipton Avenue and the Civic heading east on East Van Norman Avenue. It was noted that southbound traffic on Lipton Avenue is required to stop, while there are no stop signs for eastbound or westbound traffic on Van Norman Avenue.
Engman, the operator of the Civic, was found unconscious and without a pulse. Police initiated lifesaving efforts until paramedics arrived and transported her to Froedtert Hospital, where she ultimately passed away on December 8.
An autopsy confirmed that Engman died as a result of injuries sustained in the accident. Authorities interviewed Vaillancourt, who admitted to being the driver of the Trailblazer. He stated that he had just completed his work shift and was traveling south on South Lipton Avenue at the time of the collision.
“I’m 90% sure I ran the stop sign and then struck her,” Vaillancourt informed an officer, further indicating that he “likely was speeding.” He provided varying accounts of the events leading up to the crash.