Crime & Safety
17-Year-Old Ran Over Couple As He Fled In Stolen SUV: Sheriff
Authorities a couple that just got done grocery shopping was hit by a 17-year-old driving a stolen SUV as he fled Sheriff's deputies.
RACINE COUNTY, WI — Authorities say quick thinking by a Racine County Sheriff's deputy and good samaritans saved the lives of a couple that were struck by a stolen vehicle Sunday morning.
According to a report by the Racine County Sheriff's office, Cheryl Coopman, 47, and Jeffrey Coopman, 53, had just finished shopping at Festival Foods, 5740 Washington Ave. late Sunday morning.
Authorities said the Coopmans walked across the parking lot toward their car just after 10:30 a.m., just as a stolen Toyota Sequoia driven by 17-year-old Isaiah Degroot sped toward the Union Grove couple, and did not stop.
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Deputies reported that they saw the Toyota Sequoia nearby in the Kohl's parking lot. When the deputy ran the license plate, it did not match the vehicle, and learned the vehicle was stolen out of Milwaukee.
According to the sheriff's office, as the deputy activated the squad lights to conduct a traffic stop, Degroot sped away from the deputy, and collided with the Coopmans nearly 500 yards to the west as he fled.
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According to media reports, they were seriously injured in the crash and suffered a significant loss of blood. A deputy applied a tourniquet to one of the victims, a store employee lent his belt to stop the bleeding and a bystander produced a bungee cord during urgent moments after the crash.
Sheriff's officials say Mount Pleasant police caught up with Degroot on Emmertsen road. His vehicle collided with the Coopman's, struck a light pole, and Degroot took off running before he was caught.
During a press conference Monday, Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said the Coopmans suffered serious injuries, and were transported via Flight for Life to Froedtert Hospital where they are currently in stable condition.
According to online court records, Degroot was out on bail after he was charged with two counts of recklessly endangering safety, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, carrying a concealed weapon, among other charges.
Racine County Jail Image
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