A turn of events unfolded during the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon yesterday when a 28-year-old runner was struck by a vehicle involved in a multi-car crash. According to reports by the FOX6 News, the Cudahy Police Department responded to the scene in the 5900 block of S. Lake Drive around 11:20 a.m., where a medical emergency involving a 68-year-old Waterford woman led to a chain-reaction collision.
The woman's medical episode caused her car to initially sideswipe another vehicle, causing minor damage, and continued on to forcefully collide with a second southbound vehicle. This resulted in that vehicle, driven by a 65-year-old Cudahy man, to roll over onto its side. Debris from the wreckage struck the marathon participant who was running in the race. Those involved were quickly transported for medical treatment.
Witnesses working nearby were quoted on their reactions to the incident. Franky Ramon Torres told WISN 12 News, "I've seen the runners running, jogging, walking. They would all be at separate times," noting the timing of the accident with the passage of the last participants.
Due to its location near Aurora St. Luke's South Shore, emergency services were able to respond quickly. "They were just clearing the hospital and actually witnessed it and rolled up on it. So we had an apparatus on scene very quickly," Cudahy Fire Department Battalion Chief Brian Wojciechowski said in an interview with WISN 12 News.
Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon spokesperson Jen Puente told TMJ4’s Tahleel Mohieldin, "When we hear of these unfortunate incidents," she stated, "it really does put a damper on an amazing day.” Details on the condition of the injured parties have yet to be released.
