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Trial begins for Wisconsin mother accused in triple fatal texting and driving case

Prosecutors say woman was texting on Facebook Chat
Posted at 7:34 AM, Jun 28, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-28 08:34:10-04

A woman accused of texting before a 2013 crash that killed her daughter and two nieces is on trial in western Wisconsin.

Pierce County prosecutors said 35-year-old Kari Jo Milberg, of Centuria, was sending and receiving Facebook chat messages just before she lost control of her SUV on Highway 35 near Prescott and collided with a truck.

Milberg's 11-year-old daughter, Lydia, and her two 5-year-old nieces, Laynie Jo Amos and Clara Pavek were killed.

Milberg said she remembers nothing from the December 2013 crash. She's charged with three felony counts of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle and one misdemeanor count of reckless driving.

Investigators found Milberg's phone at the crash scene once the snow had melted months later. KARE-TV reported Milberg's attorney has suggested the defendant's daughter may have been the one using the phone.