Going nowhere fast brings felony charge

By Patricia Bogumil

Interim Editor

A 20-year-old Racine man is charged with felony second-degree reckless endangerment after allegedly trying to mow down patrons in the parking lot of a popular sports bar.

According to the criminal complaint filed in Racine County Circuit Court:

The manager of Players Park Tavern, located at highways 11 and 75 in the Town of Dover, called police May 27 at about 2:30 a.m.

He said that he had been called to the front of the building at closing time because of an altercation.

The manager told officers that when he came outside, he observed a male patron bleeding from the mouth who subsequently left the scene.

The manager said he observed an altercation break out with other patrons and Matthew Petrovic while Petrovic was getting into his vehicle.

The manager then observed Petrovic rapidly back up his vehicle while people tried to reach in through his driver’s window. Petrovic then peeled out toward the exit, but drove back into the parking lot.

The manager stated it appeared as though Petrovic re-entered in an attempt to hit people. He stated that Petrovic made three laps around the parking lot before leaving.

He stated that while Petrovic was doing so, people who had tried to grab him previously were now throwing rocks at him.

During the course of the incident, several individuals were reportedly hit by the vehicle. One witness told officers that about 30 people were in the parking lot and some had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck by Petrovic.

Another witness told officers she estimated Petrovic was driving at 30-40 mph in his three laps through the parking lot.

She stated people were trying to run after the vehicle to get the driver to stop. She reportedly observed three people struck before Petrovic pulled out onto Durand Avenue.

No one reportedly required transport for their injuries.

Petrovic made an initial appearance in Racine County Circuit Court May 29, where it was determined there was probable cause that he committed a crime and a $15,000 bond was set.

An order appointing public defender counsel was entered May 31.

At press time, Petrovic remains in custody in the Racine County Jail.

He was due in court June 6 for a preliminary hearing, when a judge was expected to decide if there is sufficient evidence to move the matter to trial.