RACINE, Wis. — A driver crashed into Racine City Hall over the weekend.
Photos from a witness showed the vehicle with severe damage up against the wall of the city hall building, near Center and 8th.
"It was just a pile of metal. It was just mangled, it was really unbelievable to see," Brian Bruce recalled.
Bruce lives near city hall and is a local photographer. He said he's documented fires, crime scenes, and even his time in the military during Desert Storm. He said Saturday's crash was unlike anything he had seen.
"It was my first time to see them use the jaws of life, and they had to cut the top off, and get the person out, they cut the doors off. It was really horrific," Bruce said.
A photo sent to us shows the extensive damage inside.
Racine Police Department Sgt. Kristi Wilcox, said the damage to city hall was substantial. She said several large blocks were pushed into the building and others were cracked. Also, a lower level window was completely destroyed along with a street light she said.
Police said the driver was speeding around the curve near city hall heading north. They said the driver lost control and came up onto the sidewalk and crashed into the building. There are still tire marks on the sidewalk on Monday.
Police did see this driver, who was in a red Dodge Charger, several minutes before the crash. They said they saw the Charger near Villa and 10th when the driver failed to stop for a stop sign. The officers, who were on foot, tried getting in their cars to catch up to the Charger but couldn't.
"There was absolutely no chase, there was no car chase, no pursuit, nothing of the sort," Wilcox said.
Wilcox said speed played a huge factor in Saturday's crash. It's something Bruce said doesn't surprise him.
"I think it's a dangerous intersection. People do come flying around here and you can't really see because of this curve," Bruce explained.
The driver, who still hasn't been identified by police, is currently being treated in a Milwaukee hospital and remains in critical condition.
We're also told two full-time and two part-time city employees have been displaced because of this crash and its damage to an office.
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