Intoxicated driver hits, kills pedestrian
A man who authorities say was intoxicated struck and killed a pedestrian last Thursday night in Janesville.
Authorities told various news media that the crash happened just after 1 p.m. last Thursday at the intersection of Parkside Dr. and Charles St. Police reportedly closed Riverside Park, which is close to the scene of the crash, following the incident because a power pole hit by the driver caused blockage to the park access.
Officers identified the driver as 71-year-old Michael Perry of Janesville, according to an article posted by 27 News.
The Janesville Police Department released a statement Friday afternoon saying the pedestrian killed Thursday was Christopher Rabuck, 37, of Janesville. Police had identified the victim early Friday morning.
Janesville Police are planning to refer a charge of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle against Perry in connection to the crash.
“Janesville Police Sgt. Todd Kliesner tells 27 News the victim was hit further down the street. ‘We believe the deceased was actually a pedestrian standing near his own vehicle when he was struck by the suspect vehicle,’” Sgt. Kliesner told 27 News. “Sgt. Kliesner believes speed and alcohol were factors in the crash. Perry is currently at Mercy Hospital in Janesville for medical reasons, but Sgt. Kliesner says he is also in police custody, and will be going to the Rock County Jail when he is released from the hospital.”
The article reports that police believe Perry was arrested in October in a separate OWI case, but he has not been convicted in that case at this point in time.
Riverside Park was closed for several hours while the department investigated the crash. According to the article, the park was closed due to the power pole causing blockage to the park access.
Janesville Police and Fire, as well as Janesville Public Works and Alliant Energy were all on the scene of the crash. No further information in regards to the incident was released as of last Friday night.
