Wausau Pilot & Review

A Wisconsin Rapids driver is facing criminal charges after allegedly striking a pedestrian who died Thursday at a Wausau hospital, where he was airlifted after being found by a passing pedestrian.

Herbert Wievel, 63, of Stevens Point, died shortly after 8 p.m. March 7, according to Lt. Joe Johnson from the Stevens Point Police Department. Police say he was struck by a vehicle driven by 43-year-old Kenneth L. Butler.

Butler was identified as the suspect thanks to an anonymous tipster.

According to the Point Plover Metro Wire, Johnson said Butler was arrested on Wednesday, with assistance from the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department, and booked into the Portage County Jail on charges associated with hit and run/causing great bodily harm. Those charges will likely be amended to reflect Wievel’s death.

Wievel was reportedly lying in a ditch near County Hwy. HH and West River Dr. for about five hours before he was found by a passing pedestrian. He was airlifted to a Wausau trauma center. His cause of death was not immediately released.

Court records show that Butler’s bond hearing is scheduled for Friday