Drunk Driver Went To Liquor Store After Hitting Man: Report

MILWAUKEE, WI — A Milwaukee man has been arrested and charged after authorities say he drove drunk, hit a man in the street and left him because he thought he hit a dog. He later drove to a liquor store and passed out in his car, authorities said.

Jerome Ealy, 50, of Milwaukee, has been charged with hit-and-run — great bodily harm. If convicted, Ealy faces up to 10 years behind bars. He was being held in the Milwaukee County Jail on a $250 cash bond as of Tuesday morning.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Milwaukee County, officers were sent to the 4600 block of W. Burleigh Street on Jan. 31 on a report that a man had been hit by a car and was lying in the middle of the street.

Authorities said first responders found him and began emergency aid right away, noting that he was lying in the street, but had a faint pulse. In their report, first responders noted that the victim was badly bruised, was bleeding from his head and had a broken leg.

The victim was transported to Froedtert Hospital, where he was treated for bleeding on the brain, a fractured skull, two spinal fractures and two broken legs, the criminal complaint read.

Authorities said they reviewed surveillance video from a nearby store, which showed the victim standing in the road talking to someone in a parked car. Investigators said a silver Cadillac driven by Ealy, was seen heading east on W. Burleigh St. Investigators said the victim was hit by the car and was sent flying into the air.

According to the criminal complaint, officers found a silver Cadillac parked on the 3200 block of N. 37th Street with its driver - later identified as Ealy - passed out behind the wheel.

Investigators said Ealy smelled of alcohol. He failed field sobriety tests, the criminal complaint read. Police said Ealy admitted to drinking at a relative's home, before deciding to leave because he felt tired.

According to the criminal complaint, Ealy told officers the thought he "might have struck a dog." When questioned further, Ealy told officers that he wasn't sure what he hit, but didn't see anything so he drove to a liquor store before going home. Ealy told investigators he then sat in his Cadillac and drank before falling asleep in his car, police said.