Caledonia man charged after allegedly attempting to strike construction flagger in Racine County
RACINE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Caledonia man is facing charges after allegedly attempting to hit a flagger working on Highway G in the Village of Franksville April 12.
Trevor Bolin, 19, is charged with first-degree recklessly endangering safety after one of the workers flagging for construction on the bridge between Waukesha Road and 51st Street called police to report a driver he said attempted to run him over.
The caller said he was working on the east end of the construction zone, according to a criminal complaint, which forced all eastbound traffic to enter the westbound lane as it passed the construction. He said he saw the truck enter the area and begin to pick up speed, revving its engine as it approached him. The flagger said he stepped into the road and waved his hands to slow down, but the truck continued to speed towards him, even as he stepped back into the gravel side of the road. He told investigators he avoided being struck by jumping into the ditch behind him. The flagger said the truck came within one foot of hitting him, at a speed estimated around 55-60 mph.
Deputies also spoke with a witness who noted that the truck was driving directly at the worker.
After the incident, the complaint says the victim and witness followed the suspect's vehicle until the driver parked at a house. The driver reportedly looked at the flagger and witness and flipped them off with both of his hands.
Deputies spoke to the driver, who stated that "he didn't think he was going that fast" and said the flagger was "being dramatic" in his claims. He denied driving toward the worker.
Bolin is due for a preliminary hearing April 19.