Waukesha hit-and-run crash from November 2024; 2 men accused

MILWAUKEE - A couple on their way to the hospital in their car ended up being taken there by ambulance for a completely different reason. They were victims of a hit-and-run crash. 

Hit-and-run crash details

What we know:

Back in November 2024, prosecutors say a wife was driving her husband to the hospital. He had stomach pains. But soon, they would both end up at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. 

At around 2 a.m., investigators say the couple was at Broadway and Pleasant in Waukesha when a driver in another car ran a stop sign. Police say Nicholas Rubenzer was behind the wheel of the maroon Toyota Scion that hit the couple. In the passenger seat of Rubenzer's car was Craig Collingwood. 

Nicholas Rubenzer

The victim's car was totaled. The couple told police the other driver did not slow down or stop to check on them. 

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Waukesha police went looking for the Scion and found it unoccupied in a Kwik Trip parking lot. Inside the gas station, police say they found Rubenzer and Collingwood, who initially said they had walked there. The Scion outside was smashed – and an officer quickly found a piece of the victim's car that had "punctured all the way through the driver's side door," the criminal complaint says. 

Police said both men appeared intoxicated. Investigators said they found meth and THC on Collingwood. They said Rubenzer tried to get away when police arrested him. Police also said Rubenzer refused a field sobriety test, a breath test and a blood draw. When officers got a warrant, they found Rubenzer to be nearly three times the legal limit to drive. 

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Both Rubenzer and Collingwood were charged in Waukesha County court this week. Rubenzer was supposed to make his initial appearance on Tuesday, but did not show up for court. It is not clear why.