UW-Whitewater student struck on Main Street
Driver reportedly fled the scene
Tyler Lamb & Victoria Vlisides
Issue date: 11/24/09 Section: News
A UW-Whitewater student was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Prince and Main streets about 5:20 p.m. Nov. 24. The driver reportedly fled the scene.
Sophomore Stephen Johnson, 20, became the second pedestrian hit by a vehicle on Main Street this semester, after a Fort Atkinson woman was also hit at the intersection of Main and Cottage streets on Oct. 14.
Johnson, a journalism major, was walking south across Main Street when witnesses said a compact, silver Mazda struck Johnson. One witness said the first digit of the license plate was the number '1,' but wasn't certain of the rest of the digits.
"I got to about the midline of Main Street and this guy was turning left going eastbound and he didn't even see me at all, he didn't even slow down and knocked me over," Johnson said.
Graduate student Jonathan Schalow, who witnessed the accident, said the suspect was a white college-aged male, with short, brown hair, about 6'3" and 150-175 Lbs.
"We saw his car stop, and he came over and said 'is he okay, is he okay' and then proceeded to leave," Schalow said. "So I took it as an act of faith that he would stay … I thought he was going to his car to get his license."
Johnson was admitted to Fort Atkinson Hospital where he was treated and released.
"Right now I've got a bruised left knee, a few scrapes ... other than that I feel fine," Johnson said. "I definitely lucked out ... but I'm not too happy he drove off."
The suspect reportedly drove away from the scene going east on Main Street.
"We've been searching and destroying all of our records trying to find a partial plate and see if we can't connect it that way," said Lt. Lisa Otterbacher of the City of Whitewater Police Department. "We would appreciate any assistance with this."
If anyone has information pertaining to the suspect, please call the Whitewater Police Department at 262-473-0555.
The Royal Purple will update the story as more information becomes available.
Sophomore Stephen Johnson, 20, became the second pedestrian hit by a vehicle on Main Street this semester, after a Fort Atkinson woman was also hit at the intersection of Main and Cottage streets on Oct. 14.
Johnson, a journalism major, was walking south across Main Street when witnesses said a compact, silver Mazda struck Johnson. One witness said the first digit of the license plate was the number '1,' but wasn't certain of the rest of the digits.
"I got to about the midline of Main Street and this guy was turning left going eastbound and he didn't even see me at all, he didn't even slow down and knocked me over," Johnson said.
Graduate student Jonathan Schalow, who witnessed the accident, said the suspect was a white college-aged male, with short, brown hair, about 6'3" and 150-175 Lbs.
"We saw his car stop, and he came over and said 'is he okay, is he okay' and then proceeded to leave," Schalow said. "So I took it as an act of faith that he would stay … I thought he was going to his car to get his license."
Johnson was admitted to Fort Atkinson Hospital where he was treated and released.
"Right now I've got a bruised left knee, a few scrapes ... other than that I feel fine," Johnson said. "I definitely lucked out ... but I'm not too happy he drove off."
The suspect reportedly drove away from the scene going east on Main Street.
"We've been searching and destroying all of our records trying to find a partial plate and see if we can't connect it that way," said Lt. Lisa Otterbacher of the City of Whitewater Police Department. "We would appreciate any assistance with this."
If anyone has information pertaining to the suspect, please call the Whitewater Police Department at 262-473-0555.
The Royal Purple will update the story as more information becomes available.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 12
Salty
posted 11/24/09 @ 7:30 PM CST
Summer salt...hmm wonder if that is next to the fall pepper and winter cinnamon at Sentry.
In all seriousness I hope the lady is okay and has a quick, healthy recovery and the driver turns him/herself in. (Continued…)
ken fager
posted 11/24/09 @ 9:45 PM CST
"[The pedestrian did] a summer salt in the air when the car struck his legs," Schalow said.
The word is supposed to be "summersault."
http://dictionary. (Continued…)
d
posted 11/28/09 @ 3:46 PM CST
wish the video was attached to this article. I would love to see it. I bet anything the car was in motion before the pedistrian walked into the crosswalk and the car never saw him. (Continued…)
e
posted 11/29/09 @ 9:16 PM CST
The horrible danger of crossing Main Street should be common knowledge now, yeah? I'm seriously concerned over the self-preservation ability of our locals. (Continued…)
Student
posted 11/30/09 @ 3:39 AM CST
He is a good guy. It's too bad and its good he's ok. How many issues like this have to come up before we realize that we need to do something about it? HOw many times will we say that fiscal restraint is more valuable than human cost?
not a student
posted 11/30/09 @ 8:26 PM CST
dear student,
pay attention..this guy got hit at a controlled intersection with stop lights and street lights.
it was raining hard and dark and I bet the driver didn't see him until it was too late. (Continued…)
Royal Purple is "Amazing"
posted 12/02/09 @ 12:44 AM CST
I am wondering that Mr. Johnson's statements were during the "..." sections that Mr. Lamb and Ms. Vlisides were. By that, I mean that I have heard from very reliable sources what those where, so I know the truth and think that others should too. (Continued…)
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