Spring Break
Student in wheelchair hit by car on Main Street
Yield to pedestrians
Sarah Kloepping & Jerica Harvey
Issue date: 9/3/08 Section: News
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Mike Chaloupka was transported to the Fort Atkinson Hospital for severe injuries and later med-flighted to University Hospital in Madison.
"I was talking to him when he was in the ambulance," said Heather Pipes, friend of Chaloupka. "He was talking, he knew his name. He knew what happened and he was breathing on his own … [officials] said he should be ok."
According to a blog about Chaloupka's recovery process written by family members, he sustained 12 broken bones and collapsed lungs.
"He is in critical condition. He is on a breathing machine. He is making improvements slowly. Day by day he is getting a little stronger," the blog stated.
Chaloupka's roommate Lauren Oftedahl said despite the broken bones, surgery will not be performed.
"He's still under sedation, he's basically not awake at this moment," she said.
Another vehicle turning southbound from the inside lane on Main Street reportedly blocked the view of the driver who hit Chaloupka.
Financial Aid Director Carol Miller said she was walking from Hyer (Hall) and heard a horn honk.
"I figured out that the horn was honking to warn the other car to slow down or stop, but everything happened so fast," she said. "The other car didn't stop … he went flying and there was a real loud crash."
Whitewater Police Department reports state although overhead crossing lights were recently installed at the Whiton and Main streets intersection, witnesses say the lights were not activated at the time of the accident.
The name of the female driver has not yet been released, but she will likely be cited for "Failure to Yield to a Pedestrian in a Crosswalk," according to the police department.
To read updates about Chaloupka's recovery process, go to www.sewcrafty-mikesprogress.blogspot.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Robin DeRemer
posted 9/10/08 @ 8:24 AM CST
I was a student teacher with Karen Jorganson at Happy Times when Mike was a student there and remember him fondly. I was also a teacher at North when Mike was a senior and though I saw him in the hallway I, regretably, did not speak to him. (Continued…)
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