Hit/Run Sends One to the Hospital

Mount Pleasant police say a Caledonia man faces felony hit-and-run charges after he caused an accident that sent a driver to the hospital.

Daniel McDowell, 36, was charged in Racine County Circuit Court Tuesday with a single count of felony hit-and-run causing injury, repeater. If convicted, he could face up to nine months in jail and/or up to $10,000 in fines. Because he is considered a repeat offender - he was convicted in 2012 of criminal damage to property and battery - a judge could tack extra time onto any sentence McDowell might receive.

According to the criminal complaint, Mount Pleasant police were dispatched at 12:07 a.m. Tuesday to the intersection of Highways 31 and KR for a report of a hit and run accident. When officers arrived, they observed a vehicle in the ditch with heavy damage at the rear.

The driver of the damaged car was still inside the vehicle and complained of back pain and feeling "tingly." Police say rescue transported the driver to St. Catherine's in Kenosha for treatment of injuries to their head, neck, back, shoulders and thigh.

A witness was also on scene and told officers they were in front of the other driver and saw in their rearview mirror the suspect car ram the other vehicle, causing that car to spin and end up in the ditch, the complaint reads. The suspect car passed the witness who said that driver - later identified to allegedly be McDowell - was driving fast and emitting sparks from the front of the car.

Mount Pleasant police located the suspect vehicle - a black Dodge Challenger - at Highways EA and KR. Officers say while they were waiting for a tow truck, one of McDowell's relatives arrived and said they were called to pick him up because he said he'd crashed into a cornfield.

McDowell's probably cause statement does not indicate if drugs or alcohol were a factor. He remains in the Racine County Jail with a $2,000 cash bond and the condition that he not drive at all if he's released from custody. McDowell will next be in court on Aug. 28 for his preliminary hearing.