RACINE, WI – A weekend joyride turned into a nightmare for five teenagers when a high-speed driver, who was on parole for a previous DWI charge, crashed into their car. One of the teens remains in critical condition following the collision that has left the local community on edge.
Brianna Lyons, who witnessed the reckless driving, recounted the moments leading up to the crash. “This happens all the time here. It’s a consistent problem,” she said, emphasizing the need for action. Lyons lives on Racine Road and is accustomed to the sound of speeding cars. On this particular weekend, she observed a silver sports car performing donuts before accelerating to at least 60 miles per hour.
The joyride took a tragic turn just minutes later when the same car collided with another vehicle carrying five teenagers at a red light one street over. “I was floored. I couldn’t believe that happened,” Lyons said, recalling the shock of witnessing the driver’s erratic behavior turn into a devastating crash.
The driver, a 34-year-old man with a history of driving offenses, was reportedly traveling at over 90 miles per hour at the time of impact. Surveillance footage captured the severity of the crash, showing the car flipped and engulfed in flames. Lyons described the video as “sickening,” expressing profound sympathy for the injured teens.
All five teenagers were injured, with one currently fighting for their life in a critical state. As a mother of three, Lyons finds the incident particularly distressing. “It’s stressful. I have three kids. I don’t let them play outside or walk down this road because of the way people drive here. It’s scary,” she shared.
The Racine Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the crash. The driver responsible is currently hospitalized, under both medical care and police supervision. The incident has sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws in the area.
Residents like Lyons are urging local authorities to address the persistent issue of reckless driving on Racine Road, fearing that without intervention, such tragedies will continue to occur. The community now awaits action that might prevent future accidents and ensure safer streets.