Waterford man charged in hit-and-run that injured We Energies flagger

RACINE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Waterford man has been formally charged in a hit-and-run that seriously injured a We Energies employee.

Bob Slominski, 41, faces the following charges:

• Hit-and-run causing great bodily harm
• Reckless driving causing great bodily harm
• Misdemeanor bail jumping (two counts)

A criminal complaint says deputies responded to Honey Lake Road in the town of Burlington on March 21 after reports that a vehicle fled the scene after striking a We Energies flagger. Upon arrival, deputies found the victim, identified as Karlee Rybarczyk, lying in the middle of the road. 

Officials spoke with another We Energies worker who -- according to the criminal complaint -- informed them a white Chevrolet pickup truck was driving south on Honey Lake Road, when it struck Rybarczyk. The worker told authorities after the truck hit Rybarczyk, it reversed, turned around and continued driving north. 

Flight for Life was called to the scene and Rybarczyk was transported to Froedtert Hospital. Rybarczyk suffered serious injuries, including two broken legs, a broken arm, a broken rib, and cuts and bruises. 

Authorities released surveillance video to the media of the truck believed to be involved in the incident. A tip call led officials to Slominski's home, also located on Honey Creek Road. 

According to the complaint, Slominski was asked if he owned a white truck and he replied, "I did it." 

In another interview at the jail, officials say Slominski admitted he was headed to an Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) class in Burlington but was unable to provide details on where the class was located. Slominski allegedly stated he sneezed and when doing so, dropped his phone. Slominski told investigators he was trying to find his phone and once he did, he looked in his rear-view mirror, then saw the We Energies worker holding a stop sign in the road, but it was too late to stop. 

Slominski, according to the complaint, stated he struck Rybarczyk, panicked and then took off. He reportedly told investigators, he does not like to see people in pain and cannot be around people who are in pain so that was the reason he left the scene. 

Officials say Slominski went home and attempted to cover his truck with a tarp to conceal it from view. 

Slominski has a pending court case out of Racine County, where he is charged with operating while intoxicated -- his third offense. 

At his initial court appearance, a judge set Slominski's bond at $100,000. 

A preliminary hearing is set for March 29.