GREEN BAY, WI – A 69-year-old Wisconsin man accused of driving drunk and running a red light, killing a teenage girl and seriously injuring her father, pleaded not guilty Monday as he appeared in Brown County court months after the fatal crash.
Douglas Proehl entered the plea during his arraignment in connection with the January collision in Ashwaubenon that killed 17-year-old Chloe Bishop and left her father, Daniel Bishop, with significant injuries. Prosecutors have charged Proehl with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, homicide by use of a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol content, and multiple counts of operating while intoxicated causing injury.
According to an amended criminal complaint, officers responding to the Jan. 30 crash reported smelling alcohol on Proehl’s breath. Police allege he refused to participate in a sobriety test at the scene and became combative with officers.
Crash details and evidence
Investigators say surveillance video captured the moments leading up to the crash, showing the Bishops’ Toyota Corolla waiting at a green light to turn left as traffic slowed. Proehl’s truck was allegedly seen “traveling at a noticeably higher rate of speed, approaching the intersection” before running a red light and striking the vehicle.
Police reported they did not observe Proehl’s brake lights until “just prior” to impact. A witness also told officers they saw the truck run the red light.
Authorities said Proehl’s blood alcohol content was measured at 0.115, above the legal limit of 0.08. He told police he had consumed two “regular tall beers” about 90 minutes before the crash. During questioning, officers noted Proehl “started to mumble even worse and seemed to become confused, as if he was searching for an answer.”
During field sobriety testing, the complaint states Proehl became “boisterous” and told officers, “I don’t really give a s—. Let’s knock off the bulls—.” After refusing a “one leg stand test,” he requested a lawyer and was taken into custody.
Statements and prior case
Before being booked into jail, Proehl was taken to a hospital, where investigators say he made comments about the crash. According to the complaint, he said, “They drove in front of me and I was like, you got to be kidding,” and added, “They didn’t leave me any time at that intersection.”
Police also reported that Proehl “seemed more concerned about how his truck was involved in an accident versus how the occupants from the other vehicle were doing,” noting he discussed recently purchasing the vehicle and “continued to utter that he just got the truck approximately two months ago.”
Daniel Bishop, who suffered multiple broken ribs, told officers he never heard braking before the collision. “This is the worst thing that has ever happened to me, knowing I’ll never speak to my daughter again. I am not angry, just sad and depressed,” he said.
Court records show Proehl had a prior OWI case filed in 2022 that remains open. During Monday’s hearing, a judge denied a request to lower his $500,000 bond. Proehl remains in custody at the Brown County Jail and is scheduled to return to court for a status conference on July 20.
Family members have created an online fundraiser to help cover funeral and medical expenses stemming from the crash.
