89-year-old Milwaukee woman accused in Cudahy hit-and-run crash
eld up traffic, Darlene Adam, an elderly driver from Milwaukee, has been charged in a hit-and-run incident involving a 10-year-old child. The child sustained abrasions and bruising after being struck by Adam’s vehicle while in a crosswalk in Cudahy. Surveillance footage revealed a silver sedan matching Adam’s vehicle description with damage to the front passenger side, a cracked windshield, and an apparent handprint on the glass from the hit-and-run incident.
Officers responded to the scene at the intersection of E. Ramsey and S. Swift Avenue following reports of a struck pedestrian. They found the child lying in the street with injuries to her face. A crossing guard present at the scene recounted seeing a silver sedan, driven by Adam, approaching the intersection without slowing down, ultimately hitting the child and driving away without stopping to render aid. The presence of surveillance footage from Aurora St. Luke’s South Shore Hospital provided additional evidence linking Adam’s vehicle to the hit-and-run.
During questioning, Adam claimed she was unaware of hitting the child, thinking instead that she had collided with a rock or construction barrel. She admitted to not checking her vehicle for damage until arriving at the hospital and expressed uncertainty about the speed at which she was driving. Adam also mentioned not recalling the presence of a crossing guard during the incident, further indicating a lack of awareness or detachment from the gravity of the situation.
Adam is scheduled to appear in Milwaukee County court for her initial hearing on December 18, facing the charge of hit-and-run involving injury. The criminal complaint filed against her details the sequence of events leading up to the hit-and-run, including statements from witnesses, evidence of the damaged vehicle, and Adam’s own recollections of the incident. The involvement of law enforcement, surveillance footage, and testimonies from witnesses have pieced together a clearer picture of the events surrounding the tragic incident.
This case serves as a grim reminder of the importance of accountability and responsibility while driving, especially for elderly individuals who may face challenges such as diminished reflexes, vision impairments, or cognitive decline. Hit-and-run accidents have severe consequences, not only for the victims but also for the perpetrators, highlighting the need for caution and awareness on the roads. Adam’s case underscores the potential dangers of negligence behind the wheel and the critical role of law enforcement in seeking justice for victims of such incidents.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the community awaits further developments in the case, hoping for a fair resolution that addresses the harm caused by the hit-and-run crash. The impact of the incident on the child, her family, and the community at large cannot be understated, emphasizing the importance of upholding traffic laws and ensuring the safety of pedestrians, especially vulnerable individuals like children. The consequences of reckless driving and failing to abide by road regulations can have far-reaching implications, underscoring the need for vigilance and responsibility among all drivers on the road.