Wisconsin Man Pleads Not Guilty In Crash That Killed 3 Girl Scouts, Volunteer

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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A driver accused of crashing into a group of Girl Scouts while they were picking up trash on the side of a Wisconsin road has pleaded not guilty in the deaths of three girls and one mother.

Colten Treu, 22, appeared Friday in Chippewa County Court.

Colten Treu (credit: Chippewa Co. Sheriff's Office)

According to court documents, Treu told police he and the passenger in his vehicle were allegedly high from huffing – or inhaling chemicals – when he crashed and fled the scene. He later turned himself in to authorities.

Jayna Kelley, 9; Autumn Helgeson and Haylee Hickle, both 10; and Haylee's mom Sara were picking up garbage in Lake Hallie as part of a service project in November when a pickup went off the road, hitting and killing them.

Treu faces 11 charges related to their deaths. A trial has been scheduled for January.