Racine County Sheriffs arrest driver after hit-and-run sends We Energies flagger to hospital

The Racine County Sheriff’s Office arrested Bob Daniel Slominski, 42, for allegedly striking a We Energies flagger near the town of Burlington on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of the Racine County Sheriff’s Office)

The Racine County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday it had arrested the driver connected to a hit-and-run which sent a We Energies flagger to the hospital through Flight for Life.

Sheriffs arrested Bob Daniel Slominski, 42, at his house around 4:30 p.m. after acting on multiple tips, sheriff’s officials said.

Slominski on Tuesday allegedly struck a flagger contracted with We Energies with his truck on the southbound lane of South Honey Lake Road approaching Spring Prairie Road around 11:41 a.m. in the town of Burlington, sheriff’s officials said. Witnesses said they saw the truck back up and flee the scene going northbound.

The flagger, who was identified as Karlee Rybarczyk, was flown to Froedtert Hospital with significant but non-life-threatening injuries, officials said.

Law enforcement found Slominski’s Chevy Silverado parked in the backyard of his house covered by a tarp, officials said. Slominski was driving to an Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse meeting at the time of the incident.

When he struck the flagger with his truck, Slominski said he “panicked” and fled the scene, officials said. He was taken into custody and transported to the Racine County Jail, where he is held on $30,000 bond. He is charged with felony hit-and-run causing injury and negligent operation causing great bodily harm.

We Energies crews were updating power equipment in the area when the hit-and-run happened, a company spokesperson said.

The flagger’s cousin opened a GoFundMe page on Wednesday to pay for medical bills, rehabilitation and living expenses. As of publication, the fundraiser had raised $5,435 out of its $7,000 goal.

“Karlee is a hardworking and dedicated individual who takes pride in her job. Unfortunately, her commitment to her job has left her with extensive injuries and a long road to recovery ahead,” fundraiser Alyssa Tucker said in a statement.