A Texas man is facing multiple charges after authorities say he struck a bicyclist in Washington County, Wisconsin, and drove away without stopping.
Duan K. Maiden II, 32, was arrested following the Sept. 3 crash near Western Avenue and Division Road in the Jackson area. Prosecutors accuse him of hit-and-run resulting in great bodily harm and intoxicated use of a vehicle resulting in great bodily harm. He also faces separate allegations of fleeing or attempting to elude an officer and resisting or obstructing an officer.
The bicyclist, a Germantown man in his mid-60s, suffered serious injuries. The criminal complaint says those injuries included a compound leg fracture along with fractures involving his pelvis and spine or neck. Earlier reporting from investigators described the injuries as serious but not life-threatening.
According to the complaint, witnesses told investigators the vehicle was traveling east on Western Avenue and failed to stop at a stop sign before entering the intersection. The car then struck the bicyclist and continued driving.
Investigators found pieces of plastic from the vehicle at the crash scene. Deputies were able to examine identifying numbers on the debris, which helped them narrow the vehicle down to a Nissan Versa.
The investigation moved forward later that evening when a passenger who had been inside the vehicle contacted authorities. The passenger reportedly told deputies that Maiden had been driving and described what happened before and after the crash.
The passenger said Maiden had been drinking earlier in the day. According to the complaint, Maiden first bought vodka and later acknowledged purchasing four BuzzBallz alcoholic drinks, which he estimated were about 15% alcohol by volume. He told investigators that he consumed all four while the passenger was not with him.
The passenger also described a change in Maiden’s driving shortly before the crash. Investigators were told that Maiden began drifting into the opposite lane and failed to stop properly at another stop sign.
As the vehicle approached the bicyclist, the passenger said there was not enough time to stop. The vehicle was estimated to be traveling roughly 35 to 40 mph when it struck the bicyclist.
The passenger said he urged Maiden to stop and call police, but Maiden allegedly refused and continued driving. The passenger eventually got out of the vehicle and contacted 911.
Authorities later located Maiden while he was driving. When deputies attempted to stop him, investigators say he initially fled, reaching about 90 mph in a 55-mph zone and crossing the center line several times. He eventually stopped and was taken into custody. Video released in connection with the case showed deputies approaching the vehicle with rifles drawn during the arrest.
After the arrest, deputies conducted field sobriety testing, which investigators said Maiden failed in part. A preliminary breath test reportedly registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.268%, more than three times Wisconsin’s legal limit of 0.08%.
During questioning, Maiden reportedly said he had been in Wisconsin for work and was staying in the Milwaukee area with other workers. He told investigators that he worked for a company canvassing neighborhoods ahead of the upcoming Wisconsin governor’s race.
However, representatives for the campaigns of David Crowley and Tom Tiffany told WISN that Maiden was not employed by either campaign. It remained unclear from the available reporting which company he was working for.
Maiden also reportedly told investigators that he did not remember striking the bicyclist or being told by his passenger that someone had been hit. He said he felt terrible about what happened and indicated that he would have stopped if he had known he had hit someone.
The case remains in the court system, and the allegations against Maiden have not been proven at trial.
The investigation and prosecution will determine the circumstances surrounding the crash, the alleged impaired driving and the decision to leave the scene.
