Giovanni Cadavid is charged in connection with an April 9, 2026, crash in Appleton that killed a husband and wife. (Photo courtesy Outagamie County Jail)
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A then-17-year-old driver had a .195 blood alcohol content after he crashed into another vehicle, killing a husband and wife, on a Thursday morning last month in Appleton.
Giovanni Cadavid, now 18, faces six counts, including two each of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and homicide by use of a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol content.
The crash occurred just before 7 a.m. April 9 on Wisconsin Avenue at Meade Street. Police said Cadavid, who was under the influence of alcohol, ran a red light and caused the crash.
Police identified the victims as Alan and Margaret Hopfensperger. Margaret, 72, died April 24, and Alan, 67, died May 2. After the crash, Alan was able to tell police he and his wife were on their way to Kimberly to babysit their grandchildren.
A passenger in Cadavid’s car estimated the vehicle’s speed at the time of the crash was 50 mph. The speed limit in that area of Wisconsin Avenue is 25 mph.
Cadavid is also charged with injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle and injury by use of a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol content with a passenger under 16 years old. The passenger was hospitalized with injuries, including a laceration to his forehead.
Police said Cadavid had been receiving medical care for his injuries before he was arrested Thursday and taken to the Outagamie County Jail.
According to the criminal complaint, Cadavid initially told police he had been at a park drinking what he thought was tequila with “some random people.”
“Cadavid was cooperative but continuously made outlandish, derogatory and out of place comments and statements,” prosecutors said in the complaint.
Cadavid later said he drank some alcohol outside of his house and was heading to a convenience store when he crashed. Cadavid’s blood alcohol content would have been more than twice the legal limit for driving, but since he is under 21, he is not allowed to have any alcohol at all.
The passenger, who is identified only by his initials, said the two were headed to get some wraps so they could smoke marijuana.
Cadavid is expected to appear in court Friday.
“The Appleton Police Department remains committed to reinforcing the importance of safe and responsible driving. This incident is a reminder of how impaired driving can be life changing and can lead to irreversible loss. We extend our continued condolences to the Hopfensperger family and everyone mourning this loss,” the department said in a news release.
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