Driver accused of intentionally speeding toward kids faces felony
A 34-year-old driver accused of intentionally speeding toward a group of children who were stopped in the street helping a friend who had fallen off a scooter in Belgium, then slamming on his brakes, was charged earlier this month with a felony in Ozaukee County Circuit Court.
Belgium resident Justin W. Bliesner faces one count of second-degree recklessly endangering safety with a dangerous weapon and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct with a dangerous weapon.
According to a criminal complaint, an Ozaukee County sheriff’s deputy who was called to the 800 block of North Street at 7:36 p.m. Saturday, June 10, was told by a witness that a white car turned from Elevator Lane onto North Street and accelerated toward a group of children before slamming on the brakes.
The driver, later identified as Bliesner, then squealed the car’s tires as he sped away, made a U-turn and sped back toward the children before turning into his driveway and parking the car in his garage, the complaint states.
All four children in the group, who were roughly 13 and 14 years old, told the deputy they were biking and scootering down North Street when one of them who was riding a kick scooter hit a rock and fell.
The children said they circled back and were helping their friend when the driver of a white car sped toward them and slammed on his brakes, almost hitting them. They said they had to jump out of the way, and the boy who had fallen off his scooter said he was so scared he was shaking and crying, according to the complaint.
The children said the driver then sped around them before circling back toward them and pulling into a driveway.
They said Bliesner started yelling at them before a neighbor began yelling at him.
Deputies found Bliesner sitting on a stoop at his home, and when they asked him about the incident Bliesner said he was invoking his Fifth Amendment protection against self incrimination and wanted a lawyer.
Bliesner was arrested and released from jail this week in lieu of $7,500 bail.
Second-degree recklessly endangering safety is punishable by a maximum five years in prison and five years of extended supervision, but because Bliesner is accused of endangering safety with a dangerous weapon, he would face the possibility of an additional five years in prison if convicted.
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