Maple Street Bridge crash results in vehicular homicide charge

The man whose mother died last week after he caused a serious crash on the Maple Street Bridge now faces a vehicular homicide charge.

Christopher T. Nelson, 27, is suspected of being intoxicated when he crashed into a bridge abutment after sliding more than 350 feet, according to court documents. Police said they found a bottle of whiskey and two cans of hard lemonade in the car after the crash. Authorities said Nelson smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes and couldn’t stand without swaying.

Nelson’s mother, Nancy Wennstrom, was a passenger in the car when it crashed. She was unconscious at the scene of the crash and died of her injuries later that day.

Nelson’s bond was raised to $250,000 at a court appearance Monday. His defense attorney reserved argument on bond until a later date. He was initially held on a $10,000 bond after his arrest last week.