Tips lead Racine County sheriff's deputies to driver accused of hit-and-run involving utility worker

TOWN OF BURLINGTON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The driver and truck allegedly involved in a hit-and-run involving a utility worker were found more than 24 hours after the incident, according to the Racine County Sheriff's Office (RCSO).

RCSO said a We Energies flagger was working near Honey Lake and Spring Prairie Road in the Town of Burlington on Tuesday morning when the driver of a white pickup truck didn't heed her warning to slow down. The driver then took off.

"It is clear. It is undeniable that they were highly visible. I mean it literally was a flag," Racine County Sheriff Lt. Michael Luell said. "It does not appear that this truck and the driver in that truck slowed down at all."

RCSO said it received multiple tips about the location of the suspected car and driver. Deputies arrested Bob Daniel Slominski, 41, who admitted to the hit-and-run.

Slominski was on his way to an alcohol and other drug abuse meeting at the time of the incident. He panicked and drove away, according to a news release.

Deputies said they found a Chevy Silverado matching the description of the car they were searching for under a tarp in Slominski's backyard.

Slominski is being held at the Racine County Jail on a $30,000 bail, and RCSO is recommending charges of felony hit-and-run causing injury and negligent operation causing great bodily harm to the district attorney's office.

Family identified the utility worker as Karlee Rybarczyk, 28, of South Milwaukee. She was flown to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee where she is being treated for serious injuries, including two broken legs, a broken arm, a broken rib, cuts and bruises, according to family. 

"She's in a lot of pain. She's having a pretty hard time, but she's stable," Alyssa Tucker, Rybarczyk's cousin, said.

Tucker said her cousin recently started working as a flagger for We Energies.

"I don't think I've met many people with as good of a work ethic as her," Tucker said.

A We Energies spokesperson said Rybarczyk was contracted to work on behalf of the company. 

"This avoidable incident is a stark reminder to slow down around construction crews," a We Energies spokesperson said.

Finding the driver responsible is only part of Rybarczyk's battle. She's looking at a long road to recovery.

"It's going to be long. It's going to be hard," Tucker said.

Family created a GoFundMe page to help Rybarczyk pay for medical and living expenses during her recovery. Click here to donate.