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Driver receives no additional charges after student death
Joe Luther
Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: News
The driver of the car that struck Michael Chaloupka, will not receive additional charges as a result of his death.
Roschelle Sims, 22, a resident of Whitewater hit Chaloupka with her vehicle Aug. 26 while he was crossing Main Street. Chaloupka died Sept. 9 at the University Hospital in Madison.
The City of Whitewater had installed pedestrian crossing lights in the crosswalk where Chaloupka was struck, but they were not activated at the time of the accident.
Sims received a ticket for failure to yield to a pedestrian at an uncontrolled intersection. Police Chief James Coan said the ticket will not change due to Chaloupka's death.
"Obviously the severity of the accident has changed, with Michael's death," Coan said. "But the circumstances of the accident haven't changed and we won't be adding further charges."
Coan said the city attorney has also reviewed the circumstances and both are in agreement that no further charges will be filed against Sims.
The City of Whitewater Police Department stated another vehicle driving southbound blocked the view of Sims at the time of the accident.
Roschelle Sims, 22, a resident of Whitewater hit Chaloupka with her vehicle Aug. 26 while he was crossing Main Street. Chaloupka died Sept. 9 at the University Hospital in Madison.
The City of Whitewater had installed pedestrian crossing lights in the crosswalk where Chaloupka was struck, but they were not activated at the time of the accident.
Sims received a ticket for failure to yield to a pedestrian at an uncontrolled intersection. Police Chief James Coan said the ticket will not change due to Chaloupka's death.
"Obviously the severity of the accident has changed, with Michael's death," Coan said. "But the circumstances of the accident haven't changed and we won't be adding further charges."
Coan said the city attorney has also reviewed the circumstances and both are in agreement that no further charges will be filed against Sims.
The City of Whitewater Police Department stated another vehicle driving southbound blocked the view of Sims at the time of the accident.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 12
Michael
posted 9/17/08 @ 4:11 PM CST
So you can now kill someone but it is ok as long as you did not see them? Since when is the driver not at fault for a situation like this? It is called inattentive driving. (Continued…)
R.A.W.
posted 9/22/08 @ 1:51 AM CST
Michael, I totally agree. I was there when it happened, apparently her kid was screaming so she was distracted. Still, we have a really screwed up judicial system. (Continued…)
larryfitzsimmons
larry fitzsimmons
posted 9/22/08 @ 3:27 PM CST
I think irresponsibility is the main culprit here. To the best of my knowledge, the lady did nothing wrong legally. Research into the exact law and outcomes from similar cases would have enhanced this story. (Continued…)
Nik
posted 9/23/08 @ 2:48 PM CST
Look, I get that it's very sad that someone had to die and this isn't the first time this has happened in WW(I graduated in 04)but I am also tired of students thinking they own the road. (Continued…)
no excuses
posted 9/24/08 @ 8:22 PM CST
The driver should be jailed.....no excuses.
So you mean to tell me that Michael was hit because some little brat distracted her? Obviously this girl has no concept of responsibility. (Continued…)
Aisling
posted 9/25/08 @ 8:32 AM CST
While what happened to Mike could have been avoided, I think that we should all take a look at how his family is handling it. They chose not to take action against the driver, and I think that is what Mike would have wanted. (Continued…)
R.A.W.
posted 9/27/08 @ 5:16 AM CST
The thing that bothers me so much is because this isn't an isolated incident. I walk pretty much everywhere on campus and I have had a couple close shaves by people driving who just speed through the crosswalks and don't slow for pedestrians. (Continued…)
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