"I tried to grab her:" Woman who was reportedly dancing on freeway struck by SUV and killed
MILWAUKEE -- A young woman seen dancing in the middle of the Marquette Interchange, facing oncoming traffic late on Monday night, June 6th was struck by an SUV and killed. Deputies say the driver of that SUV didn't stop at the scene. That driver was arrested after he returned to the scene, and is expected to be charged with hit-and-run causing death.
Bailey Hallio
The incident happened in the northbound lanes of I-43 (on the north end of the high-rise bridge). FOX6's Myra Sanchick spoke with a man who was driving in the area around 11:00 p.m. -- who said he saw 23-year-old Bailey Hallio dancing in traffic -- and he tried to save her life.
Auala Sefo Jr.
"I jumped out. I tried to run and grab her," Auala Sefo Jr. said.
Sefo Jr. was driving with his wife and young son when he saw Hallio in traffic -- prancing and crouching in what Sefo Jr. said looked like a football stance.
Officials with the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office say Hallio was struck by a red SUV and then another car.
"The SUV came out of nowhere -- just took her out," Sefo Jr. said.
Below are the 911 calls related to the crash:
Sefo Jr. said he watched in horror as the second vehicle hit Hallio.
"She flipped in the air. Landed on a Chevy Impala. She was dragged under the Chevy Impala for about 30 yards," Sefo Jr. said.
23-year-old Bailey Hallio struck and killed on Marquette Interchange
Officials say the SUV left the scene after the crash, while several other vehicles stopped traffic to prevent the woman from being struck again as she lay unconscious on the roadway.
Four motorists used their cell phone lights to illuminate the scene.
"A lot of people trying to stop. I was afraid of a pileup. A semi truck came by and held traffic," Sefo Jr. said.
Sefo Jr.'s wife called 911 as he stayed with Hallio.
"I checked her pulse. She was on the ground. She was breathing. Her pulse was light. I tried to talk to her. She didn't respond," Sefo Jr. said.
23-year-old Bailey Hallio struck and killed on Marquette Interchange
The driver of the SUV returned to the scene, Sheriff's officials say, and said his vehicle did not strike the pedestrian. However, due to damage to his vehicle and witness accounts, the driver was arrested.
Hallio was pronounced dead at Froedtert Hospital around 11:30 p.m.
Sefo Jr. said Tuesday he could only think about how close he was to grabbing Hallio before the SUV hit her. Her family was in his thoughts.
"That SUV just came out of nowhere. Whew," Sefo Jr. said.
The northbound lanes of I-43 were shut down while this scene was investigated. The lanes reopened just before 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday.