MUSKEGO, Wisconsin — A son who left his elderly mother to die alone in a crashed car — then hid from police in a crawl space — has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Casey Yiannackopoulos, 48, pleaded guilty to homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle.
What Happened That Night
On the evening of Nov. 2, police responded to a single-vehicle crash on the S7100 block of Hillendale Drive in Muskego, a suburb of Milwaukee.
Officers arrived to find a 77-year-old woman trapped unconscious in the front passenger seat. The driver was gone.
Witnesses told police they saw Yiannackopoulos flee the scene on foot. He appeared heavily intoxicated — unsteady and reeking of alcohol. He told bystanders he was going to get help. He never did.
Surveillance footage showed his car traveling at least 50 mph in a 30 mph zone before leaving the road.
His mother was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead about an hour later.
Found Hiding Under Blankets
Police learned Yiannackopoulos’ home was just down the street. Inside, they spotted a ladder leading to a crawl space with the plywood door slightly open.
He refused to come down. He yelled and cursed at officers.
Around 10:45 p.m., police sent a drone into the crawl space. It found him hiding under blankets and a plastic bin cover. He had to be physically removed and taken into custody.
What the Judge Said
At sentencing, Yiannackopoulos turned to his family and apologized.
Judge Ralph Ramirez was unmoved.
“I refuse to feel sorry for the man who caused the death of his own mother,” the judge said.
Court Commissioner Daniel Rieck called his actions “depraved,” saying he left his mother to die simply because he did not want to get in trouble.
Yiannackopoulos will serve 18 years in prison followed by eight years of probation.
Do you think 18 years is the right sentence for what he did? Share your thoughts in the comments.
