Lindvig charged in Neenah incident

OSHKOSH - Fighting tears and trying to catch her breath, Ashli Lindvig made her first appearance in a Winnebago County courtroom.

Lindvig is accused of trying to run down a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old girl in her car. She knew the girls from Neenah High School.

The 17-year-old girl is charged with hit and run causing great bodily harm and second degree reckless endangerment.

“She's a really good person and she wouldn't do that,” said Kristi Schoder, a friend of Lindvig. “She would not just run over some kids.”

Schoder says she's known Lindvig for nearly two years.

“I know Ashli and I know she wouldn't do that,” said Lindvig. “The allegations against her, I don't think she should go to jail at all.”

Neenah police disagree. They believe Lindvig was trying to kill the two girls she drove at on Sunday night. Police say it all started because of a boy.

Police wanted Lindvig charged with two counts of attempted first degree homicide.

“She had choices to make when she saw them on the street and the choice she chose was to drive at them,” said Chief Kevin Wilkinson with the Neenah Police Department.

Assistant District Attorney Adam Levin did not agree with police recommendations. His charges of hit and run causing great bodily harm and second degree reckless endangerment are still both felonies.

FOX 11 called and emailed Levin to find out why he did not go with the recommended attempted homicide charges. His only reply was he had nothing to add.

According to the criminal complaint, the 18-year-old injured in the incident suffered a fractured skull. Doctors say she could have permanent hearing loss. The 15-year-old suffered minor injuries.

Schoder claims Lindvig has had issues with the girls in the past.

“They've already beat Ashli up, she came into work with a black eye,” said Schoder.

FOX 11 found Facebook postings by the 15-year-old alleged victim where she admits to hitting Lindvig. The post includes a message directed to Lindvig in which the 15-year-old appears to apologize for the fight.

Lindvig is due back in court next Monday. The judge issued her a $5,000 cash bond.