OSHKOSH, Wis. (WBAY) – Family and friends of an Oshkosh man killed in a hit-and-run last month are demanding justice after their loved one’s death. Ethan Luaders, 29, was crossing the street when he was hit by a vehicle.

Sparkling, high energy, ferocious.

Those are the words family and friends use to describe 29-year-old Ethan Luaders.

That’s how David Stockwell, Ethan’s best friend of almost 10 years, wants to be remembered.

“No matter what kind of thing happened, it will always come back. He was always the kind of person you expected to never see brought down. He always got back up,” Stockwell said.

On October 5, around 3:00 a.ma vehicle struck and killed Ethan near New York Avenue and Algoma Boulevard in Oshkosh. Court documents say the suspect, 21-year-old Drake Dodge, turned himself in to police later that day and admitted to hitting the Luaders and left.

Stockwell says he was shocked.

“It wasn’t something I expected to wake up to,” Stockwell said.

Court records show Dodge posted a $20,000 cash bond on Oct. 16. On Thursday, he appeared in court in person and waived his right to a preliminary hearing. The judge found probable cause in the case and bound Dodge over for trial.

Members of Ethan’s family spoke to us after the hearing.

“At this time we have no comment other than to thank everyone for their kind and sincere support. We are confident that the ADA and Judge Woldt will protect our community and justice will be served,” said Kelly Luaders, Ethan’s aunt.

Stockwell also hopes for justice, but knows it won’t bring his friend back.

“There’s nothing you can do to make it whole. There will always be a piece of him floating around and missing from our hearts,” Stockwell said.

Dodge is due back in court in January.

A GoFundMe has been created to help support the Luaders’ 6-year-old daughter.

Copyright 2024 WBAY. All rights reserved.