MPD Motorcycle Officer Injured in Hit-and-Run

A fifteen-year veteran Milwaukee police officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries earlier this month when he was knocked from his motorcycle by a hit-and-run driver while on patrol. The officer and his partner were in the process of pulling over one vehicle when a second vehicle, associated with the first, struck the officer. Both vehicles fled the scene.

Second Vehicle Found, Arrests Made

The crash, which happened around 9:40 a.m. on Thursday, August 3, took place in the area of N. 27th Street and W. Clybourn Street. The officers had observed a vehicle speeding as it approached W. St. Paul Avenue at the same time that they noticed its occupants acting suspiciously and speaking to the occupants of a second vehicle. As they attempted to stop the first vehicle, the officer was struck by the second.

As of late last week, the MPD had not yet located the hit-and-run vehicle and was asking for tips from the public. The other vehicle was stopped on the evening of the crash after a chase. Four men were arrested.

Second MPD Officer Hit-and-Run in Two Weeks

Only two weeks before this incident, two other MPD officers were also involved in a hit-and-run. On July 20, the officers were having a conversation with a resident near Sherman Boulevard and W. Villard when a car hit their van from behind, continued onto the sidewalk, and struck both of them.

One officer received a wound on his face that required eighteen stitches, as well as a broken leg; the other had injuries to an elbow and shoulder.

That driver was located soon after, thanks in part to a witness who photographed the car’s license plate as it sped off. When found, the driver had removed the license plates, but there was still blood on the car, as well as dents and a damaged windshield from the crash.

That driver claimed he fled because of fears of police retaliation, but police talked with his father, who convinced his son to turn himself in. He’s now facing three felony hit-and-run charges.

Always Worse to Run

In most places, including Wisconsin, the law puts higher penalties on drivers who flee the scene of an accident and are arrested later. This driver faces up to fifteen years in prison and a $50,000 fine on the most serious charge, more than he would be looking at if he’d stayed at the scene—even if convicted of a reckless driving offense.

Milwaukee Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcyclists are just as likely as any other motorist—if not more likely—to be the victims of hit-and-run crashes. In fact, bikers are, overall, about five times more likely to be seriously injured and as much as twenty-six times more likely to be killed in a crash than another driver, per mile traveled.

If you’ve been harmed in a crash caused by another person, you need an experienced Milwaukee motorcycle accident attorney in your corner. The Law Offices of Gary S. Greenberg can help. Call us today at 414-271-7007 or fill out the online contact form below.