'Another case of reckless driving:' 2 DPW workers hurt in crash near 54th and Hampton



MILWAUKEE -- Two Department of Public Works employees were hurt in a crash near 54th Street and Hampton Avenue Wednesday afternoon, March 4.

It happened around 1:30 p.m.

Police said the DPW workers were taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

The cause of the crash was under investigation, police said.

Neighbors told FOX6 News the workers were cleaning the street minutes before the crash. A few blocks over, near 53rd Street and Glendale Avenue, neighbors said a vehicle abandoned there was involved in the crash. One neighbor said people ran from that vehicle through her yard.

"I saw two young men run very fast across, in front of my home," said Janice Wulz. "I thought that was kind of odd, and then, I saw two to three more run, but not together -- separately. That's when I got up to see what was going on because I knew they were up to something, but I didn't know what it was. Then, I saw the car."

Jeff Polenske, DPW commissioner, issued this statement:

"Yet again another case of reckless driving brings harm to our DPW family. The latest involved two DPW workers needlessly injured on the job. It is both worrisome and frustrating how frequent these incidents are occurring.  While the health and safety of public servants are paramount, what is more at risk is the health and safety of the entire community if this senseless behavior continues."