Milwaukee, WI – A 24-year-old Wisconsin woman has been arrested after allegedly falsely reporting vehicle damage in connection with a hit-and-run that left a 26-year-old Lyft driver in a coma, authorities said.
Jenni Fischer faces multiple charges, including hit-and-run involving great bodily harm and making a fraudulent insurance claim, following a December 1 collision in Milwaukee.
Hit-and-Run Incident Leaves Victim Critically Injured
According to the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD), officers responded to the scene at approximately 8:40 p.m. on Dec. 1, after several 911 calls reported a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. The victim, a 26-year-old Lyft driver, was unconscious but breathing and suffered severe head trauma. He was immediately transported to a local hospital, where he has undergone two brain surgeries and remains in a coma with a worsening condition.
Police said the driver’s vehicle, a white Nissan Sentra, had its driver’s side door mangled and crushed backward, consistent with being sideswiped by another vehicle. Surveillance footage and physical evidence from the scene indicated the suspect vehicle was a white or gray SUV.
False Insurance Claim Leads Investigators to Suspect
Two days after the crash, authorities said Fischer allegedly filed an insurance claim for her Jeep SUV, claiming the right side of her vehicle was smashed, the windshield cracked, and the rearview mirror broken after leaving work.
Police reviewed surveillance video from the night of the collision, which showed Fischer’s Jeep sideswiping the Lyft driver, contradicting her claim. Investigators matched the vehicle’s VIN to Fischer, and her claim required a police report, which she also allegedly filed falsely through the MPD’s Citizen Online Reporting portal, designed for minor crimes rather than motor vehicle accidents.
Surveillance Evidence Confirms Suspect’s Involvement
Further surveillance from Fischer’s residence showed a gray Jeep entering a parking structure at 8:41 p.m. on Dec. 1, with a blonde woman in a green coat—later identified as Fischer—exhibiting difficulty walking and making contact with both sides of the staircase while entering the building. The next morning, she was observed walking without apparent difficulty back to the Jeep.
Vehicle Recovered With Evidence
On Dec. 6, police visited an address linked to Fischer’s parents. Fischer’s mother admitted her daughter had been involved in a car crash, citing the allegedly false report. She escorted officers to a barn where Fischer’s Jeep was parked, where authorities found damage consistent with the collision and traces of white paint from the Lyft driver’s Nissan. The Jeep was seized as evidence. Both parents identified Fischer in surveillance footage from the scene.
Arrest and Charges
Fischer was arrested at her parents’ home on Dec. 7 and booked into the Milwaukee County Jail. She faces charges of:
- Hit-and-run involving great bodily harm
- Making a fraudulent insurance claim
During a court hearing on Dec. 11, her bond was set at $20,000 cash, and her next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 17.
Authorities Emphasize Accountability
The MPD stressed the severity of hit-and-run incidents, particularly when they result in life-threatening injuries. Law enforcement officials urged the public to report accidents responsibly and warned that filing false claims could lead to serious criminal consequences.
What are your thoughts on filing false insurance claims in hit-and-run cases? Do you think penalties are strong enough to deter such behavior? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below.
