Horicon man sentenced to 3 years in jail for 2022 crash that killed pregnant woman and her son

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Horicon man will spend three years in jail after killing a pregnant woman and her 1-year-old son in a car crash back in 2022.

Family members of Casey Lynn Schwartz gave emotional statements in court Tuesday morning, remembering the soon-to-be mom of two as a gentle person, whose life was cut short because of distracted driving.

“Life simply sucks without Casey and Octavius,” said Courtney Grier, Schwartz’s sister. “We were supposed to be first-time moms together.”

On June 22, 2022, Steven Bruskiewicz Jr. was driving on Highway 164 and Elmwood Road in Richfield when he rear-ended Schwartz's car, pushing her vehicle into oncoming traffic. Schwartz, who was pregnant, and her 1-year-old son, died shortly after.

“Shoes, toys, pictures, memories -- I don’t really touch any of that because it hurts too much,” said Schwartz’s husband, Casey Schwartz.

Bruskiewicz Jr. told officers he was using social media on his phone when the crash happened.

“I lost my entire world in a matter of seconds because of one person's decision to look at his phone while driving,” said Casey Schwartz.

Bruskiewicz Jr. was found guilty on multiple felony charges, including homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle, and will serve three years in jail. Family members argued that anyone who allows themselves to be distracted while driving and causes a crash that kills others has to be held accountable.

“We have to live with the repercussions of whatever choice we make, whether good or bad. The choice that Stephen made needs to have consequences,” said Grier.

It’s accountability they want Bruskiewicz Jr. to take while serving his sentence.

“This is without a doubt the most regrettable moment in my life,” said Bruskiewicz Jr.