A 65-year-old construction worker was killed on Madison's southeast side when he was struck by a vehicle while doing road work on Pflaum Road near Alder Road, close to La Follette High School. Madison police said Peter Crook of Lone Rock was working at the site at about 1:10 p.m. on September 24 when the vehicle hit him. Crook died at the scene. According to police, the crash happened while two 17-year-old drivers were racing, and witnesses estimated the vehicles were going 50 to 60 mph before the crash. Madison police arrested both teens on Wednesday of the following week. The driver of the vehicle that struck Crook faces charges of second-degree reckless homicide and hit-and-run involving death. The second driver faces a felony charge of second-degree recklessly endangering safety. Police said he was seen driving in the opposite lane of Pflaum Road when the crash happened. Both teens are scheduled to appear in court in November. These charges are allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Our thoughts are with Crook's family, friends and coworkers.

Location and Infrastructure

Pflaum Road runs through a largely residential part of Madison's southeast side, near the city's border with Monona. La Follette High School sits along the corridor, so the road regularly carries school buses, student drivers, parents and pedestrians, especially at the start and end of the school day. The intersection with Alder Road is in a neighborhood setting where drivers are expected to watch for crossing pedestrians and turning vehicles. Active road construction adds more hazards. Work zones often narrow lanes, shift traffic patterns and put crews within a few feet of moving vehicles. Drivers in these areas are expected to follow posted work zone signs, cones, barricades and any flaggers directing traffic. They are also expected to slow down and stay in their assigned lanes. Driving at high speed or crossing into the opposing lane leaves workers and other road users with little time to react.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Wisconsin allows certain family members to bring a wrongful death claim when a death is caused by another person's wrongful act or negligence (Wis. Stat. §§ 895.03–895.04). For deaths arising from motor vehicle crashes, these claims generally must be filed within three years (Wis. Stat. § 893.54). Because Crook was injured while working, Wisconsin's worker's compensation system may provide death benefits to his dependents. Those benefits do not necessarily prevent separate claims against at-fault third parties. Wisconsin uses a modified comparative negligence standard (Wis. Stat. § 895.045). The state also requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage. When a minor causes a crash, the adult who sponsored the minor's driver's license application may share liability under Wis. Stat. § 343.15. Recoverable damages may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical costs
• Lost financial support
• Loss of society and companionship, which is subject to statutory caps

This information is general and is not legal advice.

Related Resources

Local Emergency Services

• Emergency: Call 911
• Madison Police Department: cityofmadison.com/police (non-emergency: 608-255-2345)
• Madison Fire Department: cityofmadison.com/fire
• Dane County Public Safety Communications: danecounty.gov

Local Traffic Safety Resources

• City of Madison Transportation and Traffic Engineering: cityofmadison.com/transportation
• Madison Vision Zero Initiative: cityofmadison.com/visionzero
• Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Work Zone Safety: wisconsindot.gov

Support Services for Accident Victims and Families

• Wisconsin Department of Justice, Office of Crime Victim Services (including the Crime Victim Compensation Program): doj.state.wi.us/ocvs
• Dane County District Attorney's Office, Victim/Witness Services: da.countyofdane.com
• Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Worker's Compensation Division: dwd.wisconsin.gov/wc

State Traffic Laws and Regulations

• Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 346, Rules of the Road: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/346
• Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 343, Operator's Licenses: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/343
• Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 895, Wrongful Death and Liability: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/895