Petzoldt waives right to hearing on manslaughter charge

Christopher D. Petzoldt, charged with involuntary manslaughter related to a car accident that killed his cousin, 18-year-old Jacob A. Weber, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday at the Perry County Courthouse. Petzoldt will be arraigned at 9 a.m. Jan. 25.

The accident occurred in the early hours of Nov. 11 as the cousins returned from deer hunting. According to police breathalyzer tests taken at the scene showed Petzoldt had a blood-alcohol level of .087, and according to a probable-cause statement, neither teen was wearing a seat belt. Weber died later at Saint Francis Medical Center.

Petzoldt is of Glendale Heights, Ill., and Weber was a student at Saxony Lutheran High School. His family lives in Frohna, Mo.

Prosecuting attorney Tom Hoeh upgraded charges from second-degree assault to involuntary manslaughter in late November.