A 38-year-old man from North Prairie, Lenard L. Hale, stands accused of running over a former co-worker with his vehicle shortly after being terminated from his job. According to a criminal complaint, on Monday, Hale was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court with attempted first-degree intentional homicide and hit-and-run causing great bodily harm, as reported by The Journal Sentinel.
The victim, found critically injured and bleeding in the parking lot of the Greenridge Center in Mukwonago, worked with Hale at Aptar, a nearby plastic fabrication company. Surveillance footage from Aptar, obtained by Mukwonago police, captured a white Audi creeping behind, then accelerating to rapidly and purposefully strike the man. "The video showed the victim landing on the pavement and is motionless," read a court document outlined by FOX 6. The victim attempted to jump out of the way but was nonetheless thrown over the vehicle's hood and roof, suffering a severe brain injury requiring surgery.
Authorities swiftly tracked down Hale after the incident, locating the white Audi involved in the hit-and-run at a family member's residence. The vehicle exhibited damage consistent with the attack, including numerous dents on the hood and a cracked windshield. According to WISN 12 News, Hale was found "hiding behind a door" and was arrested on the spot.
Details around the firing surfaced, noting that Hale had been dismissed for "poor work performance and stealing company time," a possible motive for the alleged attack. Yet, the dynamics of Hale’s work relationship with the victim remain unclear. Following his arrest, a court set Hale's cash bond at $750,000. He is expected to return to court for a preliminary hearing on February 20, as per details shared by The Journal Sentinel.
