A tragic bicycle accident in Green Lake, Wisconsin, claimed the life of 12-year-old John "Emmet" Zodrow on Wednesday morning when he was struck by a vehicle while riding with friends on Hill Street. The incident occurred just before 10 a.m. on the 500 block of Hill Street, where Zodrow was cycling with two family friends on the north side of the street. According to the Green Lake Police Department, 85-year-old Jean Woolley of Germantown was attempting to park in the angled parking spaces along the north side of Hill Street when her vehicle went over the curb and struck the young cyclist, trapping him underneath. Despite immediate emergency response efforts, Zodrow suffered severe injuries and was transported to a hospital in Ripon, where he was later pronounced dead. The Green Lake Police Department, Green Lake County Sheriff's Office, and Wisconsin State Patrol are conducting a joint investigation into the circumstances surrounding this devastating accident. This heartbreaking incident highlights the vulnerability of cyclists, particularly young riders, when sharing roadways with motor vehicles in downtown areas.

Location and Infrastructure

Hill Street in Green Lake serves as a central thoroughfare through the downtown area of this small Wisconsin city, which has a population of approximately 1,000 residents. Green Lake is located at longitude and latitude of -88.957778, 43.842778 and situated at an elevation of 804 meters, with the downtown area featuring angled parking spaces typical of small-town commercial districts. The 500 block of Hill Street, where the accident occurred, is part of the city's core business district and likely experiences regular pedestrian and bicycle traffic, particularly during warmer months when residents and tourists frequent the area. Green Lake County maintains responsibility for highway infrastructure in the region, with the Green Lake County Highway Commission responsible for the year-round maintenance of 229 miles of County Trunk Highways. The presence of angled parking along Hill Street creates a common traffic configuration that can present challenges for both motorists attempting to park and cyclists sharing the roadway, particularly when drivers must navigate over curbs or sidewalk areas.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Wisconsin law, cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other vehicle operators on public roadways. The bicycle is defined as a vehicle, and the operator of a vehicle is granted the same rights and subject to the same duties as a driver of any other vehicle. In cases involving bicycle-vehicle accidents, Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence standard, where if the plaintiff is 51% or more liable for the accident, they cannot recover any damages. For families facing the tragic loss of a child in a bicycle accident, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Wisconsin is three years, though special provisions apply for minors. For minors, any minor involved in an accident has up to two years following their 18th birthday to bring a claim for injuries or damage sustained as a result of an accident. Potential compensation in such cases may include medical expenses, funeral costs, pain and suffering, and loss of future earnings. Given the complexity of these cases and the emotional trauma involved, families are strongly encouraged to seek legal counsel promptly to protect their rights and ensure proper investigation of all circumstances surrounding the accident.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Green Lake Police Department: (920) 294-6969
• Green Lake County Sheriff's Office: (920) 294-4142
• Wisconsin State Patrol: (608) 266-3212

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Wisconsin Department of Transportation: wisconsindot.gov
• Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin: bfw.org
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: nhtsa.gov

Support Services:

• Wisconsin Victim Services: doj.state.wi.us/ocvs
• Green Lake County Health and Human Services: (920) 294-4027
• Grief counseling and family support services through local community organizations

Legal Information:

• Wisconsin State Statutes (Traffic Laws): docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
• Wisconsin Courts: wicourts.gov
• State Bar of Wisconsin Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 362-9082