A Wisconsin man has been sentenced to prison after admitting he ran down and killed a tow truck driver working along Interstate 94 on Christmas Eve.
Christopher Sponholz, 40, pleaded guilty to hit-and-run involving death in Waukesha County. Court records show he was sentenced to seven years in prison, with credit for 421 days already served, followed by 10 years of extended supervision.
Crash on Christmas Eve
The victim, Hussein Farhat, 40, was loading a disabled vehicle onto his tow truck on I-94 near Summit, about 30 miles west of Milwaukee, on Dec. 24, 2024. Authorities say a blue minivan traveling at least 80 mph struck Farhat and did not stop. A witness reported the van continued at highway speed before exiting.
Farhat was taken to a nearby hospital but died roughly 12 hours later from his injuries.
Investigators identified Sponholz as the driver the following day after someone recognized the minivan in the village of Wales, a few miles east of Summit. Authorities said Sponholz initially told a friend he had hit a deer before later turning himself in to police.
Emotional Court Hearing
During sentencing, Sponholz apologized in court, saying he was deeply sorry and wished he could undo what happened.
Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge William Domina sharply criticized the defendant’s actions, saying people deserve to be treated with dignity and not abandoned on the side of the road.
Farhat is survived by his wife and three young children. His death prompted renewed calls for drivers to slow down and move over when approaching tow trucks and emergency vehicles. Nearly 100 tow trucks participated in a memorial procession honoring his life.
