A 19-year-old Wisconsin man was killed and a teenager was injured when a verbal argument led to a fatal auto crash, according to authorities. Police say the responsible party is in custody, and charges of hit-and-run causing death and homicide by negligent operation have been recommended. They also say alcohol and drugs were factors in the incident.

The altercation began on South 18th Street in Manitowoc at around 10:00 p.m. on Nov. 20 when a 19-year-old man and three of his friends went looking for a fight with a 22-year-old man, according to Two River police. When the fight did not happen, the younger man and his friends left. Police say the older man chased them down and sideswiped their car with his vehicle on Highway 42 in Two Rivers, causing the car to spin out of control and hit the guardrail.

The 19-year-old driver of the sideswiped car was ejected from the vehicle and killed. A teenage passenger in the car sustained minor injuries, and two other passengers were not injured. The driver of the vehicle that hit them left the scene after the accident. When authorities contacted him late at his home, he admitted to driving recklessly and leaving the scene of the accident. Prosecutors say he also removed paint transfer from his vehicle in an attempt to conceal the damage caused by the crash. Friends of the young man who died and the man accused of intentionally causing the accident describe them both as well-mannered, good people who got caught up in a disagreement.

Those who lose loved ones in car accidents may file a Argument leads to fatal crash”, Bill Miston, November 21, 2013