Saukville police: Driver who fatally struck woman in Walmart parking lot said she hit the wrong pedal
Updated: Oct. 28, 2025
SAUKVILLE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Saukville police say the vehicle that fatally struck a pedestrian in a Walmart parking lot Sunday was driven by a 74-year-old woman who was attempting to park in a handicap stall.
Police say the driver told authorities she hit the gas pedal instead of the brake when pulling into the stall, accelerating through a walkway and into the next aisle of parking.
Officials say witness statements and video help substantiate the driver's statement, however an investigation is ongoing.
Updated: Oct. 27, 2025
SAUKVILLE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Witnesses say a Sunday morning grocery trip turned to tragedy as a woman walking with a shopping cart was hit by a vehicle. Bystander Les Wiedenhoeft jumped into action, trying to save the woman. "'Hold in there, baby, hold in there! Hang in there, they’re coming!' I kept saying, you’re being strong, take another breath!" he shared.
According to Saukville police, the incident happened just before 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26.
Wiedenhoeft said he and his fiancé were pulling into the parking lot when they saw a vehicle "moving fast" hit a woman. Immediately, Wiedenhoeft was by her side, putting his shirt on her head wound and tipping her on her side. He said that a witness told him the woman didn't have a pulse, so he started doing CPR.
"The family - I can’t imagine what they’re going through right now. I wanted to help so bad. I just felt like once she took a couple of breaths, I thought she might pull out of this. The paramedics are here; they’re going to pull her out of this. And I was heartbroken when I found out she didn’t make it. I completely lost it. It was a tragedy," he shared.
The Ozaukee County Medical Examiner's Office said an autopsy will be done on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Until then, they're not sharing the 50-year-old woman's identity.
While Wiedenhoeft couldn't save her, he hopes she took comfort knowing she wasn't alone.
"It’s just so heartbreaking and – I just pray for the family," he said.
Wiedenhoeft said the situation was traumatizing, and he is praying for the family, hoping they'll be able to grieve through the heartbreak.
Authorities say the operator of the vehicle that struck the woman has been cooperating with police since the incident occurred. No arrests have been made at this time.