Raschad Johnson Charged in Town of Troy Pedestrian Accident
A 65-year-old We Energies employee was struck and killed while conducting survey work on Highway 20
A 65-year-old New Berlin man was killed in a pedestrian accident on Highway 20 near Townline Road in the Town of Troy, Wisconsin, on April 30, according to the Walworth County Sheriff's Office.
Raschad Johnson, 50, of Norman, Oklahoma, was arrested and charged with homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle and second-degree recklessly endangering safety.
A witness told investigators the westbound vehicle was weaving at approximately 50 to 55 mph before it struck the victim, who was wearing a high-visibility vest while setting a GPS point. A second worker dove out of the way to avoid being hit.
Deputies searched the suspect's vehicle and found a laptop and cell phone connected to power stations.
The laptop appeared to be turned on inside the vehicle.
The victim, identified as a We Energies employee, was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving measures. A utility truck with safety lights activated was present at the time of the collision.
Johnson's cash bond was set at $250,000 in Walworth County Circuit Court. The Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the crash.
How does distracted driving impact a pedestrian collision investigation?
Investigators examining the Highway 20 scene will likely focus on the electronic devices recovered from the vehicle to determine if distraction played a role in the fatal impact.
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "In workplace pedestrian accidents, forensic investigators frequently subpoena cellular and electronic device records to establish a timeline of driver activity leading up to the collision."
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving claimed 3,308 lives nationwide in 2022. The presence of a We Energies utility truck and high-visibility vests will also be key factors in establishing the work zone environment and visibility conditions.
What are the legal implications of criminal charges in a fatal accident?
While the driver faces criminal homicide charges in Walworth County Circuit Court, the victim's family may also have separate legal avenues available. The criminal and civil justice systems operate independently, with different burdens of proof and objectives.
National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal, noted that "When a driver faces criminal charges in fatal pedestrian accidents, the criminal proceedings establish a strong foundation for negligence per se in a concurrent civil wrongful death claim."
The ongoing criminal case will likely preserve critical evidence, including witness statements and forensic data, which can be use in subsequent civil proceedings.
Wisconsin wrongful death and worker's compensation
A civil wrongful death lawsuit operates independently of any criminal proceedings against the at-fault driver. Families may seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship, subject to state statutory caps and a three-year statute of limitations.