Just before 3 a.m. Saturday, a quiet Racine block near 16th Street and Memorial Drive turned into a crash scene, as a hit-and-run driver slammed into two homes, shearing off a front porch and heavily damaging the side of a neighboring house. A homeowner inside said her car was also struck. Everyone walked away shaken but, according to early reports, without serious injuries, as reported by FOX6 News Milwaukee.
How the Crash Unfolded
According to FOX6 News Milwaukee, Racine police say the vehicle first plowed into a light pole, then kept going, smashing into the front porch of one home before slamming into the side of the house next door. The driver then took off, leaving behind splintered wood, crumpled siding and a rattled neighborhood.
Police told the station the hit-and-run also damaged a gas meter, which complicates repair work at one of the homes. With the meter out of commission, crews cannot safely move ahead on key interior work. The Racine Police Department has launched an investigation and is actively searching for the driver.
Remodeling Work Set Back
For the crew working on one of the homes, the timing could not have been worse. Edmundo Juarez of EJ's Remodeling, which was overseeing work there, told FOX6 News Milwaukee the collision will push the project back "weeks, maybe even months" because the damaged gas meter prevents finishing painting and mudding.
Juarez added, "Somebody could've been walking in the street. The house could be fixed, but somebody's life can't be brought back." He said the company is grateful no one was hurt, but he expects costs to climb and timelines to stretch while insurance and utility issues get sorted out.
Neighbors Say This Stretch Is Risky
Residents along this section of Memorial Drive say none of this came out of the blue. Neighbors told TMJ4 that crashes are all too common on the block, with drivers over the years hitting signs, porches and even vacant houses.
Several neighbors said they regularly see cars blowing through stop signs and speeding down the street, and they worry the next incident could be far worse. According to TMJ4, city officials have fielded repeated calls to take a closer look at traffic controls in the area.
Police Ask for Tips
Racine police say the hit-and-run remains under active investigation and are asking anyone with information or video to get in touch. The department's contact page lists a non-emergency line at 262-886-2300 and instructs residents to call 911 for emergencies, per the Racine Police Department. Tipsters can also use the department's online contact forms to share details with investigators.
As cleanup continues, neighbors and work crews are bracing for weeks of repairs, and both the homeowner and Juarez say insurance claims and contractor schedules will feel the ripple effects. For now, the neighborhood is left with a busted porch, a damaged home and a lot of unanswered questions while police search for the driver who sped away.
