CUDAHY, Wis. (WISN) – An 89-year-old Wisconsin woman has been charged with felony hit-and-run after she allegedly struck a 9-year-old girl walking to school last month.
Prosecutors charged 89-year-old Darlene Adam last Monday with hit-and-run causing injury. On Oct. 28, she allegedly struck 9-year-old Lenci Lamberg, who was in a crosswalk near J.E. Jones Elementary School in Cudahy, then left the scene.
Cudahy police later caught up with Adam after finding her car two blocks away at Aurora St. Luke’s South Shore hospital, where she told police she had an appointment.
Adam told officers she believed she had struck either a rock or some sort of construction barrel.
Lenci suffered a concussion and other injuries in the crash. She was able to go to back to school Nov. 4, one day after her 10th birthday.
Speaking last Monday, Adam said it was an accident, and she never saw Lenci. She also said she won’t be driving again.
“I’m giving up my license,” she said.
The incident raises the issue of when older people should stop driving.
“Not all elderly people are bad drivers. Just because you are higher up in age doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t drive,” said Lauren O’Desky, the owner of Oasis Senior Advisors.
She says if you suspect your loved one might be having trouble, take a ride with them and have a conversation about next steps before something serious happens.
“The goal is to not take away independence. The goal is to maintain independence but also make sure that your loved one is safe and the people on the road are safe as well,” she said.
Adam is not in custody. If convicted, she could face up to nine months in jail.
