GRAFTON, Ozaukee County, Wis., Oct. 4, 2026 — An 11-year-old boy riding a bicycle was critically injured on Friday night, October 2, when a driver struck him and left the scene near Port Washington and Arrowhead roads in the Town of Grafton, according to the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office.
The crash happened around 6:30 p.m. The boy was hit while on his bike and suffered injuries described by investigators as critical.
Authorities identified the driver as 37-year-old David Sitar, who they say was operating a 2013 Ford work van at the time. The sheriff's office said Sitar struck the boy and fled before deputies arrived. His vehicle has since been recovered, but investigators say Sitar remains missing.
Deputies believe Sitar may be in the Kenosha, WI, area and could be relying on family, friends, or rideshare services to get around, since his vehicle is no longer in his possession. He is described as about 6 feet tall, roughly 180 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.
The sheriff's office has filed active felony warrants against Sitar for first-degree reckless endangerment, hit-and-run causing injury, and operating a vehicle without a license, causing great bodily harm. Investigators are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to call the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office at 262-284-7172.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
When Bicycle Crashes Are Most Likely to Happen
Collisions between vehicles and bicyclists tend to cluster around certain hours rather than spreading evenly through the day. Early evening, especially the stretch between dusk and full darkness, is a common window. Light is fading, headlights and bike reflectors become harder to judge, and drivers coming off work commutes are often tired or moving at normal road speeds through areas where kids and cyclists are also out.
Weekday evenings in warmer months add more bike traffic to residential and rural roads at exactly the time visibility is dropping. A driver's eyes need time to adjust to low light, and a small, narrow shape like a bicycle and rider is much harder to pick out against trees, shadows, or oncoming headlights than a car or truck.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, passenger vehicles made up 92 percent of registered vehicles and 89 percent of vehicle miles traveled in 2023, meaning the vast majority of miles driven anywhere, at any hour, involve standard passenger cars and trucks sharing the road with people walking and biking. That volume alone means routine evening trips, not unusual conditions, are where most driver-bicyclist encounters happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is distracted driving so dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians?
A driver looking at a phone or dashboard for even a couple of seconds can miss a cyclist entering a roadway or crossing at an intersection, especially in low light, when reaction time is already shorter.
How do weather and road conditions factor into these crashes?
Rain, fog, or dusk lighting all reduce how early a driver can spot a cyclist. Wet roads also extend stopping distances, giving a driver less room to react even after spotting someone on a bike.
What should I do immediately after a crash involving a bicyclist?
Call 911 right away, do not move an injured person unless there's immediate danger, and wait for police and medical responders. If you witnessed the crash, stay to give a statement if it's safe to do so.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Bicycle Crash in Grafton, Wisconsin
If you or your child is involved in a bicycle crash, seek medical evaluation right away, even if injuries seem minor at first. Some injuries, especially head or internal injuries, aren't obvious immediately.
Report the crash to local police as soon as possible and provide any details you can, such as a vehicle description, direction of travel, or partial license plate. If anyone nearby saw the crash or the vehicle involved, ask them to stay and share what they observed with responding officers. Keep a record of medical visits and any communication with law enforcement, since these details can matter later as an investigation moves forward.
