Investigation continues into Waukesha squad that struck bicyclist

July 19, 2010

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By Laurel Walker of the Journal Sentinel

July 19, 2010 0

Waukesha - Waukesha police and the Wisconsin State Patrol continue to investigate an accident last Tuesday in which a squad driven by second-year Waukesha Police Officer Ian DeKarske struck a 17-year-old bicyclist on Highway 164 near Lincoln Ave.

Waukesha police Captan. Dennis Angle released DeKarske's name Monday but said his department would not release the bicyclist's name, citing his status as a juvenile. The extent of injuries and condition of the young man could not be determined.

A State Patrol accident reconstructionist said he has not yet finished his report. Both police agencies have interviewed witnesses and Waukesha police are completing the state accident form.

An initial press release from the Waukesha Police Department said the officer was asked to assist on another call and was responding in a non-emergency fashion, without lights or siren, to that call when he struck one of two bicyclists in dark clothing who were crossing the uncontrolled intersection.

DeKarske provided CPR and the 17-year-old was taken by Flight for Life to Children's Hospital, police said.

Angle said the call in question to which DeKarske was dispatched two minutes before his accident was initially called in at 9:09 p.m. as a suspicious person involving a woman and man arguing. Other squads initially responded and DeKarske was asked to assist. Eventually a man was arrested during that call on suspicion of his fourth drunken driving offense, Angle said.

About Laurel Walker

Laurel Walker covered local, school and county government for 20 years -- the last half of that at the Milwaukee Journal and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel -- before she was named Waukesha County columnist in 1997. Today she writes about the people, places and events around metropolitan Milwaukee with a broad suburban focus. She was the youngest of nine children raised on a central Wisconsin farm before leaving the nest for journalism studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a masters degree at the University of Oregon. She has spent the last half of her life in Waukesha County, where she and her husband raised two sons. Though she has a fondness for life in Waukesha, she eagerly partakes in the culture of the big city to the east and the recreation of the forests to the west. With sons in the arts, she has a special fondness for symphonic music concerts and art museums. She finds peace in a good book at a Northwoods getaway weekend, adventure in family visits to the east and west coasts, and satisfaction in a column well-written that reaches readers.