‘She died surrounded by love': Family of Racine nurse killed in DUI crash urges drivers to make smart decisions

 

RACINE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- On Monday, Dec. 12, Racine police said a 21-year-old man made the decision to get behind the wheel while under the influence.

And on Tuesday, Dec. 13, one family’s life was changed forever.

According to a criminal complaint, Ernesto Rodolfo Regalado Rodriguez was driving southbound on Highway 32 in Caledonia when he began to lose control of his vehicle and crossed the yellow line.

That’s when officials believe he hit 20-year-old Johanna Renee Pascoe, who was heading to her shift at the Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee.

“Rodriguez did not remember the accident but believed he was okay to be driving,” the complaint said, noting the suspect had drunk beers prior to the crash.

Pascoe was taken to a Milwaukee hospital via Flight For Life, where she was placed on life support before she ultimately passed.

Investigators later determined that Rodriguez did not have a valid driver’s license and was not a U.S. citizen.

Now, Pascoe’s family is speaking out, urging anyone getting behind the wheel to make smart decisions, especially as the holidays near.

“With the holidays coming up, celebrations, I mean everybody thinks it’s not a big deal but in a split second you’ll take somebody’s life,” Johanna’s aunt, Kathy Pascoe, said. “There’s absolutely no reason for anybody to get behind the wheel drunk.”

Kathy told CBS 58 that her niece was a “beautiful” and “vivacious” young woman who loved nature, games and arts and crafts.

“Mostly she loved being with her family,” Pascoe said. “Her professors, the fellow students, all of her friends, every single person that has spoken of her has said she’s one of the nicest people they’ve ever met.”

Johanna, an aspiring nurse, had made Dean’s List and graduated with her RN and honors, just three days before her death.

“She was going to work on the neurosurgical ICU and that’s exactly where she passed,” Pascoe said. “It wasn’t just Johanna’s life. It was hundreds and hundreds of lives today, and all the people as a nurse that she could’ve saved and impacted.”

The family said they’ll always remember her bright smile and spirit, taken far too soon.

“She died surrounded by love,” Pascoe said, noting Johanna’s parents and four siblings. “God gave the world Johanna, and we released her back up to God.”

Rodriguez is currently facing multiple charges and is being held on a $500,000 dollar bond at the Racine County jail.

A GoFundMe for the family has raised over $25,000 so far.

You can find the link to donate here.