Waukesha police have suspect in hit-and-run incident

Published on: 9/2/2014

UPDATE: Waukesha police have identified all parties involved in Skateland hit and run

An investigation continues into a hit-and-run incident at Skateland that left a woman in serious condition over Labor Day weekend.

Just after 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, police received multiple 911 calls regarding a physical altercation in the parking lot of Skateland, 1931 E. Main St., Lt. Chad Pergande of the Waukesha Police Department said.

While officers were responding to the call, the dispatch center received additional information indicating a female had been struck by a vehicle in the parking lot.

The striking vehicle, however, fled the scene before police arrived. Pergande said that vehicle has been located and police are looking for a known suspect.

Capt. Ron Oremus said Tuesday morning that while police have a potential suspect, "we will not be releasing the identity as we have not confirmed this individual's participation in the incident."

The victim was quickly tended to by the Waukesha Fire Department before being transported to Froedtert Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The police blotter indicated she had a "severe head injury" and was bleeding "profusely."

As of Tuesday morning, Oremus said the victim was still unconscious at the hospital.

A child was also injured during the incident, Pergande said. The child's injuries, which are non-life-threatening, were a result of an initial altercation. According to the police blotter, the child suffered a head laceration.

Pergande said a large crowd had gathered and witnessed the chaotic scene.

According to the police blotter, during an all-night skate at Skateland that night, a group of juveniles didn't have their own skates and were not allowed in. A group of about 15 juveniles were in the parking lot, refusing to leave and driving around "crazy," the blotter indicates. The police blotter then notes a woman was struck and was "semi-conscious."

Officers from the Town of Brookfield Police Department and deputies from the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department assisted the Waukesha Police Department in speaking to witnesses in gathering information.

The suspected vehicle had its front windshield kicked in and at least one other window was smashed. According to a witness, four or five men were in the vehicle that struck the woman. One of the occupants, according to police, is known to carry a gun, but a gun was not displayed during the incident.

"It is very early in this investigation and there are multiple people involved in the incident so it will take time to process all of the information and piece everything together," Oremus said. 

Oremus asked that those who were involved or who witnessed the incident to come forward. Anyone with information can contact Detective Paul Paikowski at (262) 524-3786.