BIG BEND, WI — Big Bend police say a bartender served alcohol to an 18-year-old at a local bar shortly before he died in a motorcycle crash in Muskego, and that bartender was his mother. The case has been under investigation for months, with no criminal charges filed yet.
Investigators say surveillance video shows Joshua Schladweiler drinking beer at Papa Stache before the crash that killed him in July. Police have now referred possible charges against his mother, Angela Schladweiler, including second-degree reckless homicide, sale of alcohol to an underage person, criminal recklessness and sale to an intoxicated person.
The Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office says it is reviewing additional information to decide whether charges are warranted.
How the fatal crash unfolded in Muskego
Joshua Schladweiler died at the scene after crashing his motorcycle in Muskego in July. Witnesses told investigators he was traveling about 100 mph, crossed the center line near Woods Road and Parkland Drive and struck a van.
Police said his blood alcohol concentration was later determined to be 0.171. The driver of the van, Ray Amdahl, said he considers himself fortunate to have survived the wreck.
Brian Schladweiler, Joshua’s father, described his son as someone who loved fishing, hunting and the outdoors. Family members say they still want a clearer picture of what happened before the crash and who should be held responsible.
Surveillance video shows drinking before he left the bar
According to Big Bend police, the investigation focused on what happened at Papa Stache before the crash. Surveillance video reportedly shows Joshua Schladweiler inside drinking beer, and police say the bartender serving him multiple bottles that night was his mother.
That detail has become the central complication in the case. Under Wisconsin law, a parent may be able to provide alcohol to a child in some circumstances if the parent is accompanying the child during consumption.
Independent criminal defense attorney Jonathan LaVoy said the legal question may turn on whether Angela Schladweiler was with her son at the time he was drinking and whether she was in the same location as he was while he consumed alcohol.
Family members press for charges and bar consequences
Joshua Schladweiler’s father and aunt have spoken publicly about the case in hopes that criminal charges will follow. Melissa Weinberger said she believes too few people know the full details of what happened before the crash.
Brian Schladweiler said he wants accountability for Angela Schladweiler and also wants Papa Stache to lose its liquor license. Weinberger echoed that view, saying the bar should face consequences if the facts support it.
Ray Amdahl, the van driver involved in the collision, also urged prosecutors to examine the alcohol service at the bar and any other conduct that may have contributed to the crash. In a statement, he asked for a full review of the evidence and said he wants justice for what happened that night.
Police say the mother had prior alcohol citations
Big Bend police said Angela Schladweiler had served alcohol to her son on several earlier occasions. Police also said she had previously been cited for providing underage patrons alcohol at Papa Stache.
That history has become part of the village’s review of the bar’s liquor license and the operator licenses of several employees. A complaint to the village triggered the municipal process now underway.
FOX6 News said it contacted Papa Stache multiple times by phone and email seeking comment from the owners, but no response was received. Angela Schladweiler also declined to speak when approached at her home.
Licensing hearing set as prosecutors keep reviewing evidence
The Big Bend village clerk said a due process hearing for Papa Stache’s license is scheduled for Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. The review could affect the bar’s liquor license as well as the licenses of staff members named in the complaint process.
Meanwhile, the district attorney’s office says it is still reviewing the materials police turned over this week to determine whether charges should be filed. Police are also asking anyone who was at the bar that night to come forward with a statement.
The case has become especially painful for Joshua Schladweiler’s family. His girlfriend gave birth to their son last month, and she named the baby Joshua after the father he will never meet.
A family tragedy that now spans the crash and what came before it
The fatal wreck ended one young man’s life, but the questions now reach back to the hours before he left the bar. For investigators, the key issue is whether alcohol service at Papa Stache and the conduct of those involved helped set the stage for the crash.
For Joshua Schladweiler’s relatives, the case is about more than one night in July. They are asking for charges, a full review of the bar’s role and answers about why an 18-year-old was drinking before he died.
Police say the matter remains under active review, and prosecutors have not said when they expect to make a final decision.
