Background: News footage of the intersection in Waukesha, Wis., where Janet Wolfgram allegedly hit someone with her car (WISN). Inset: Janet Wolfgram (Waukesha Police Department).
The incident unfolded on February 8th, when, according to a criminal complaint sourced by ABC affiliate WISN, Wolfgram reportedly drove her red Chevrolet Cruze into a pedestrian while making a left turn at an intersection. The impact was significant enough to propel the man over the hood of her car. Fortunately, despite the severity of the collision, the pedestrian survived, although he did sustain injuries.
Witnesses played a crucial role in the aftermath, with one person following Wolfgram to a nearby Pick ‘N Save store, and another alerting the police as the injured man lay in the street, clutching his leg. He later recounted to authorities that he had been crossing with the pedestrian signal when the car hit him, and the driver failed to stop.
Upon her arrival at the Pick ‘N Save parking lot, Waukesha Police officers approached Wolfgram as she exited her vehicle. When questioned about the incident, Wolfgram reportedly admitted she “thought she hit something,” though she wasn’t certain what it was. The realization that she had struck a person left her visibly upset, as noted by Fox affiliate WITI.
Surveillance footage captured the entire collision, graphically illustrating the moment Wolfgram’s vehicle struck the pedestrian, sending him flying 15 to 20 feet from his original position. The gravity of the situation was underscored by a gas station attendant who recognized the victim, noting he required assistance to walk.
Surveillance cameras caught the incident on video, showing Wolfgram’s red Cruze driving through the intersection and striking the man, sending him flying over her hood as she continued driving. Police said the man was launched 15 to 20 feet from where he had been in the intersection. WISN reported that a gas station attendant who knew the man said he was walking with assistance.
Wolfgram was arrested by Waukesha Police Department officers and taken to a substation. She was booked into jail and released with tickets. A criminal charge of hit-and-run involving injury was filed on Wednesday. Her next court appearance is scheduled for March 31.
