New Year’s Day became a nightmare for Lisa Wolf, a restaurant manager and mother of three, after a hit-and-run crash on Milwaukee’s near west side. Her car flipped near North 35th Street and Juneau Avenue, leaving her seriously injured. Wolf said she woke up to find her car on its roof and crawled out through the trunk as others ran from the scene. Witnesses told investigators they saw two people flee after the crash. Her family and doctors say she faces multiple surgeries and a long recovery. She suffered a severe concussion, head injuries, and major dental damage, according to TMJ4.
In an interview with TMJ4, Wolf recalled a single thought looping through her mind as she dragged herself from the trunk of the overturned car: "The only thing I could think of was wanting to get home to my kids." The station reports she also suffered injuries to her ankle, hip and fingers, and that she currently cannot work. Her sister has launched a family GoFundMe to help cover mounting medical bills and lost wages.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the crash happened around 2 a.m. on Jan. 1 when a vehicle reportedly blew through a red light and slammed into Wolf’s car. Police say the striking vehicle was later found abandoned at a nearby corner and the people inside have not been caught. Family members told the paper Wolf is now dealing with memory problems and intermittent speech issues on top of the physical injuries and extensive dental work she will need.
What Police Are Asking
Milwaukee police are asking anyone who saw anything, or who has information about the hit-and-run, to call the department's non-emergency tip line at (414) 935-7232 or to submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS (8477), according to the City of Milwaukee. Investigators are canvassing the area for witnesses and surveillance video and say even a seemingly minor detail could help them pin down the driver or vehicle involved.
Crash Pattern On 35th Street
State crash data and local reporting point to a troubling pattern along 35th Street. TMJ4 notes there have been at least seven deadly crashes on the stretch between Capitol Drive and West Greenfield Avenue since January 2024. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the city's traffic-safety unit recorded roughly 780 crashes in 2026 that resulted in four deaths as of Jan. 19. Wolf's family says those numbers only highlight how urgently Milwaukee needs to crack down on reckless driving, and they hope speaking out while she recuperates will add pressure for safer streets.
Legal Context
Under Wisconsin law, a driver who leaves the scene of a crash that causes injury without stopping to identify themselves and render aid can face felony charges. The obligation to stop and assist is spelled out in Wis. Stat. § 346.67. The full statute text and related penalty provisions are available on Justia.
As Wolf works through surgeries and therapy, her family is asking for help with medical costs and everyday expenses through their GoFundMe. Anyone with information about the New Year’s Day crash is urged to contact Milwaukee police at (414) 935-7232 or Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS.
