Fatal Muskego accident may have been caused by driver fatigue

Recently a Muskego, Wisconsin resident was riding his bike when he was struck by a car. Witness statements suggest that the rider was heading eastbound on a city road when a Toyota Scion that had been traveling westbound crossed over into the eastbound lane and struck the man. The vehicle continued on to crash into a utility pole, leaving it leaning to the side as a result of the car accident.

When officials arrived at the scene, the rider was pronounced dead by the county medical examiner. He is believed to have died from injuries sustained during the crash. His family, who had reported the man missing around 7:30 p.m., were notified of his death when their description of their loved one matched photographs taken at the scene of the incident.

The driver of the vehicle that struck and killed the bike rider is a 20-year-old man from Milwaukee. He told police that he was on his way to work at the time of the incident. He was field tested for sobriety, and police found no indication that alcohol was a factor in the crash. He also submitted blood samples, which were sent to the state’s crime lab for screening. Police reports indicate that the driver told investigators that he was feeling drowsy at the time of the accident, and that he does not have a clear memory of the moments leading up to the crash.

It could take several months for the Waukesha County district attorney to receive the results of the toxicology screening. In addition, the Wisconsin State Patrol is conducting an accident reconstruction, which could also take months to complete. Until then, it is uncertain if or when criminal charges may be filed in the fatal car accident, or whether the family of the victim will watch the case go through the courts. They have the right to pursue a wrongful death suit in the matter, which may be the path they choose if they do not feel that the investigation leads to a favorable result.

Source: Muskego, WI Patch, “Fatal Bike Accident May Have Been a Case of Drowsy Driving,” Denise Konkol, July 13, 2012

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