GREEN BAY, Brown County, Wis., Sept. 15, 2026 — On Saturday morning, September 12, four police officers were hurt after a vehicle drove into a crowd downtown near a food truck at Doty St and Washington St. An officer fired at the vehicle during the encounter, according to authorities.
Green Bay police say officers were called to a disturbance shortly after 2:15 a.m. Saturday. While officers were investigating, a vehicle reportedly drove toward the crowd of bystanders and officers on scene. An officer then fired at the vehicle, authorities said. No injuries from the gunfire have been reported.
The vehicle left the scene, leading officers on a brief pursuit, according to police. Officers stopped the vehicle near North Monroe Ave and Pine St using a pursuit intervention technique, commonly known as a PIT maneuver. The driver was taken into custody on suspicion of operating while intoxicated, with help from the Wisconsin State Patrol, authorities said.
Four officers suffered injuries described as non-life-threatening across the two incidents and were treated for their injuries, police said. Green Bay Police Chief Chris Davis said the downtown area would remain closed until Saturday afternoon while investigators processed the scene, a closure that also canceled the Green Bay Farmers’ Market that day.
The officer who fired their weapon has been placed on administrative leave under department policy, authorities said. The Brown County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the officer-involved shooting investigation, while the Green Bay Police Department’s Professional Standards Division is conducting a separate review of policy compliance. Investigators say body camera footage from officers involved will be reviewed as part of the inquiry.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
A Common Misconception About Crowded Downtown Crashes
Many people assume incidents where a vehicle drives into a crowd are rare, isolated events tied to extreme circumstances. In reality, vehicles striking pedestrians or groups of bystanders happen more often than most realize, frequently in ordinary settings like sidewalks, parking lots, or downtown streets during routine police activity or minor disturbances.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 6,138,359 police-reported traffic crashes occurred in 2023. That volume shows how many crashes involve routine traffic situations, even when the outcome, as in a vehicle driving into a crowd, appears extraordinary.
The assumption that these events are freak occurrences can lead people to underestimate how quickly an ordinary gathering, whether a food truck line or a farmers market, can turn into a scene involving injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is distracted driving a factor in crashes like this?
Even brief lapses in attention can prevent a driver from noticing pedestrians or reacting to a sudden disturbance, increasing the chance a vehicle drifts into a crowd or fails to stop in time.
How do alcohol or impairment factor into these incidents?
Impairment slows reaction time and judgment, which can make a driver more likely to accelerate into danger or fail to respond appropriately when officers or bystanders are nearby.
What should I do immediately after a crash involving a vehicle and pedestrians?
Call 911, move to a safe area if possible, and avoid moving anyone who may be injured unless there is immediate danger. Wait for police and medical responders and provide a factual account of what you saw.
Where do these types of incidents tend to happen most often?
They frequently occur in areas with dense foot traffic, such as downtown streets, event spaces, or locations near food trucks and outdoor markets, where pedestrians and vehicles share close quarters.
What to Do After a Vehicle-Into-Crowd Incident in Green Bay, WI
If you witness or are involved in an incident like this, prioritize safety first. Move away from the roadway or immediate area if you can do so safely, and check yourself and others for injuries.
Seek medical evaluation even if you feel fine immediately afterward. Adrenaline can mask pain or injury, and some conditions take hours to become apparent.
Cooperate with responding officers and provide a clear, honest account of what you observed. If you have video or photos, authorities may ask you to share them as part of the investigation. Keep any medical records or documentation related to injuries in case they’re needed later.
