Elderly Driver Charged After School Crossing Horror
An 89-year-old female driver from Wisconsin is confronting potential prison time after allegedly striking a nine-year-old schoolgirl in a crosswalk and then speeding away from the scene. The incident, which left young Lenci Lambert with cuts, bruising, and a concussion, occurred as she was walking to school on the morning of October 28.
The Terrifying Morning Commute
At approximately 8am in Cudahy, a suburb of Milwaukee, the scene was set for a routine school journey. A crossing guard, wearing a high-visibility vest, had raised a stop sign to halt traffic and allow children to cross safely. According to a criminal complaint obtained by Law & Crime, as Lambert began to cross, Darlene Adam approached in her silver Ford Focus 'without slowing down'.
The vehicle struck the young girl and continued without stopping. Disturbing witness accounts reported seeing 'a cup and a shoe fly up in the air' upon impact. Another witness confirmed that the car did not brake before hitting Lambert.
Police officers arrived to find the child 'lying in the street', surrounded by concerned onlookers. Their investigation quickly led them to surveillance footage showing the Ford Focus parked at a nearby hospital.
Injuries, Aftermath, and a Birthday Overshadowed
Lenci Lambert was transported to a children's hospital. Her injuries were visibly severe, with bandaged arms and legs, plus abrasions and bruising to her left cheek, left eye, and forehead. The psychological impact was also significant. A GoFundMe page set up for her family stated, 'What should have been a normal day turned into a terrifying experience that left her with a concussion, painful road rash, and a tremendous emotional and mental toll.'
Tragically, the young girl celebrated her tenth birthday on November 3. 'Instead of celebrating, she’s now focused on recovery—physically, mentally, and emotionally,' the fundraiser page revealed.
Meanwhile, investigators examined Adam's vehicle, finding fresh damage to the front passenger side, a cracked windshield, and an apparent handprint on the glass. When questioned, Adam reportedly told investigators she 'believed a rock had hit her vehicle or that she had run into a construction barrel'. She claimed she was unaware of her speed and did not remember seeing the crossing guard.
Legal Reckoning and a Licence Surrendered
Darlene Adam has been charged with hit and run causing injury. She told local outlet WISN that the incident was an accident and she never saw the girl, but she confirmed, 'I'm giving up my license.'
Adam now faces severe legal consequences, including a potential sentence of up to nine months in jail and a fine of up to $10,000. Her court appearance is scheduled for December 18.
The community has rallied around the Lambert family, with the GoFundMe campaign aiming to help cover mounting medical expenses as Lenci continues her difficult journey towards recovery.
