The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a two-vehicle crash in the 21600 block of Highway 50 (75th Street) in the Village of Bristol that resulted in at least one fatality. Eastbound lanes are currently closed with traffic being re-routed at 236th Ave in the Village of Paddock Lake.
At approximately 6:45 p.m. Kenosha County Sheriff Deputies and the Village of Bristol Fire Department responded to the above-stated location. The initial call was reported as a reckless driver complaint that resulted in a crash. The involved vehicles included a white GMC pick-up truck and a black Jeep sport utility vehicle. Both vehicles were reported to be traveling east on Highway 50.
A single person occupied the white GMC pick-up truck. The black Jeep SUV contained four occupants, all needing extrication, with one of the occupants confirmed to be deceased at the scene. The remaining victims were initially transported to local area hospitals in Kenosha via ambulance and subsequently transported to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee.
The Wisconsin State Patrol’s Accident Reconstruction Team is responding to assist with the investigation. Fire and Rescue personnel from the Village of Salem Lakes, Village of Twin Lakes, Kansasville, and Flight for Life Ground Transport Crew also responded to assist at the scene.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation at this time. The identities of the involved are being withheld pending notification to next of kin. Alcohol appears to be a contributing factor. The Kenosha County Sheriff's Department would like to remind motorists to drive safely.
8:30 a.m. APRIL 8 UPDATE:
The KSD now is able to identify the involved victims:
- Driver: Gerald J. Rizzo, (72 yrs old) of Kenosha, WI
- Front Seat Passenger: Dr. Michael J. Rizzo, (67 yrs old) of Kenosha, WI.
- Back Seat Passenger: Mary C. Rizzo, (74 yrs old) of Kenosha, WI
- Back Seat Passenger: Dr. Vincent C. Rizzo, (76 yrs old) of Kenosha, WI
Their conditions:
- Dr. Michael Rizzo was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident.
- Dr. Vincent Rizzo was transported to St. Catherine’s Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
- Mary Rizzo was transported to Aurora Hospital and then transferred to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee where she was pronounced deceased.
- Gerald Rizzo was taken to local hospital where he remains in stable condition with serious injuries
The operator of the White GMC Pickup was identified as:
SUSPECT: Timothy G. Vandervere, (40 yrs old) of Beach Park, IL
Vandervere was transported to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee where he remains and is being treated for his injuries. Upon his release he will be brought to the Kenosha County Jail and will be booked on charges of:
- THREE Counts of Reckless Homicide – Felony
- THREE Counts of Knowingly Operating after Revocation-Causing Death – Felony
- One Count of Reckless Injury – Felony
- One Count of Knowingly operating after Revocation-Causing Great Bodily Harm – Felony
- Operate a motor vehicle under the influence-1st Offense
Witnesses described the White pickup as driving erratically and at a very high rate of speed prior just to the crash. The pickup truck rear-ended the Jeep Cherokee as the Jeep was travelling eastbound at normal traffic speed.
Evidence obtained indicates the presence of intoxicants on Timothy’s breath. A search warrant for legal blood was obtained and his blood sample was taken and will be tested at the lab. Modifications of the criminal charges may be made once the blood test result is known.
Timothy has a prior injury by intoxicated use of motor vehicle in 2005, he holds a valid Illinois driver’s license, but his WI driver’s license is REVOKED.
The Wisconsin State Patrol is assisting with accident reconstruction. The investigation is ongoing and continuing.
Deputies and Detectives have already interviewed several witnesses who saw the suspect driving recklessly before the collision. The KSD asks that anyone who witnessed this event before the crash contact the KSD Detective Bureau at 262-605-5102.
Also assisting at this extremely traumatic scene were members of the Salem Lakes Fire and Rescue Department, the Bristol Rescue Department, the Twin Lakes Fire and Rescue Department, Flight For Life, and the Kansasville Fire Department.
This is a tragic loss to Kenosha County. All Law Enforcement works closely with the medical community. The KSD extends our sympathies to the entire Rizzo family and the entire health care community of Kenosha.
5:15 p.m. April 8 UPDATE:
Timothy G. Vandervere was released from the hospital and is now in custody at the Kenosha County Jail. Mr. Vandervere is expected to have his initial appearance at Kenosha Intake Court located at 927-54th Street, tomorrow Tuesday, April 9th at 1:00 p.m. We will make mugshot request available after his hearing.