Man found badly injured on Racine County road dies, girlfriend charged in connection
Updated: April 2, 2024
RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A 36-year-old woman has been charged in connection with the death of her 33-year-old boyfriend.
Investigators say Sarah McAullife was behind the wheel on County Highway J in the village of Rochester on March 21, when her boyfriend "jumped out of the vehicle."
The Racine County Sheriff's Office was called to the scene and found Joshua Billings lying motionless on the road. Officials observed several marks of "fresh road rash" on Billings' arms and legs, and a large bruise on his side stomach and back.
Billings was transported to a hospital where he died.
Several hours later, officials looked into Billings' girlfriend, identified as Mcauliffe, at her residence. The sheriff's office says, Mcauliffe reported Billings jumped from her vehicle while she was driving but she didn't call police but instead returned home. McAullife, according to the sheriff's office, admitted she was driving while intoxicated during the incident.
The criminal complaint says, McAullife claimed she pulled over the truck in order to look for Billings but could not find him so she "texted him and went home."
Authorities learned McAullife, according to the complaint, called her father right after the incident and texted him in part, "I don't know what...to do to be honest...He intentionally tried to ruin me just now, so there's that, I will do as you wish because I'm at a loss right now."
During another interview with investigators, McAullife allegedly indicated Billings made suicidal statements. She also stated, according to the complaint, "[Billings] was too big for her to push...out" of the vehicle.
The complaint says on April 1, McAullife's father went to the sheriff's office substation where he told investigators more about the night Billings died. He allegedly stated McAullife called him and was hysterical and did not know where she was. McAullife allegedly said Billings jumped out of the truck, but she could not find him. McAullife's father allegedly told her to call police several times.
After 20 minutes of speaking with authorities, officials say McAullife's father stated, "there was an accident."
According to the criminal complaint, McAullife's father stated she told him, "I might have hit [Billings], and later added she told him, "I think I hit him, I can't find him, I'm scared."
McAullife has been charged with hit-and-run resulting in death and carrying a concealed weapon.
In court Tuesday, March 2, McAullife's bond was set at $20,000.
She is due back in court on April 10 for a preliminary hearing.
Published: March 22, 2024
RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A woman is in custody after officials found her boyfriend lying on the side of the roadway badly injured in Racine. Authorities say the man succumbed to his injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle.
According to the Racine County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to the area of County Highway J, just east of State Highway 36 in the village of Rochester and found a man lying on the side of the road with injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle. Lifesaving measures were performed but the man was pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital.
Officials identified the man as 33-year-old Joshua Billings.
Several hours later, officials looked into Billings' girlfriend, identified as 36-year-old Sarah Mcauliffe, at her residence. The sheriff's office says, Mcauliffe reported Billings jumped from her vehicle while she was driving but she didn't call police but instead returned home. Mcaullife, according to the sheriff's office, admitted she was driving while intoxicated during the incident.
McAullife was taken into custody and the following charges are being referred to the district attorney's office:
- Hit-and-run resulting in death
- Carrying a concealed weapon
Anyone with additional information on this incident is urged to contact the Racine County Sheriff's Office at 262-636-3274.