A quiet walk along Hillcrest Drive turned tragic on April 20 when a pickup struck a man and his dog on the shoulder of the road, killing the dog and sending the walker to the hospital. Investigators say the driver kept going. Days later, 54-year-old West Bend resident Aaron Maeder was under arrest, with a criminal complaint quoting him as telling deputies, “I already admitted I did it.”
The crash happened shortly after 8:30 p.m. near the intersection of Hillcrest and Nabob, northwest of Big Cedar Lake.
How investigators tracked the truck
Deputies said they recovered vehicle parts at the scene and, using part numbers, surveillance footage and Department of Transportation records, narrowed the search to a metallic 2019–2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, deputies later found a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado partially concealed in a West Bend driveway with front-end damage that matched what they saw at the scene.
Washington County Insider reports that investigators also discovered dog fur on a license plate screw, along with other physical details, which helped them link the truck to the hit-and-run.
Court filings and the charge
Court records show Maeder made his initial appearance on Friday and is charged with one count of hit-and-run causing injury. He posted $5,000 bond, according to FOX6.
The criminal complaint says Maeder told deputies he had been driving toward Big Cedar at about 8:30 p.m. and that he had ear plugs in while driving. Deputies say the Silverado was towed to the sheriff's office and is being held as evidence while the case moves forward.
Neighbors react, sheriff urges people to come forward
Neighbors told TMJ4 the scene was upsetting and said they are relieved the victim is recovering. Sheriff Martin Schulteis publicly urged anyone with information to speak up, saying, “It is always better to self-report than to have law enforcement come to you,” according to officials.
The sheriff's office is asking the public to watch for a silver or gray Chevy Silverado with missing passenger-side trim and to report any tips to investigators.
What the charge means
Under Wisconsin law, drivers involved in crashes that cause injury or death must stop, identify themselves and provide reasonable assistance, as required by Wis. Stat. § 346.67. Failing to do so can result in criminal charges. The duty to give name, address and vehicle registration is aimed at making sure injured people get help quickly and that responsibility for crashes is clearly established, as explained in the statute and related legal summaries; see the text of Wis. Stat. § 346.67 on Justia.
Investigators say they are still reviewing surveillance and following up on leads as the case continues. People with information are asked to call the Washington County Sheriff's Office tip line at 262-335-4378, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
