Jim Falls man charged in hit-and-run crash

CHIPPEWA FALLS — A Jim Falls man has been charged with a felony-level hit-and-run crash, stemming from a June 7 three-vehicle crash in Chippewa Falls.

Nicko J. Bruhn, 38, 15582 HIghway 178, was charged in Chippewa County Court with three counts of hit-and-run involving an injury and two counts of misdemeanor-level hit-and-run. Bruhn also was cited for inattentive driving and failure to notify police of an accident. Judge James Isaacson set a court date for Sept. 17.

According to the criminal complaint, the three-vehicle crash happened June 7 at Business 29 and Chippewa Crossing Boulevard. The officer was informed that the “offending vehicle fled the scene, heading north on Highway 124. A witness provided the offending vehicle registration and a description of the vehicle.”

When the officers arrived at the scene of the crash, he observed one car had been rear-ended and pushed into another vehicle.

“All parties reported being sore and requested to be medically evaluated,” the complaint reads.

Officers observed cuts and abrasions on heads of the victims. One woman was transported to an area hospital with a neck injury.

Officers learned that all vehicles were westbound on Highway 29 and had stopped at the lights at Chippewa Crossing Boulevard when they were struck from behind by Bruhn’s vehicle.

An officer contacted a woman who is listed as the owner of the vehicle, and she said her boyfriend, Bruhn, was driving at the time, and he had called her after the crash had occurred.

“Bruhn admitted he left the scene after the crash and less than a mile later, realized he should have probably stayed at the scene, but continued driving home. Bruhn also claimed he spoke with others involved in the crash who said they were all okay, so that was why he decided to leave the scene.”

Officers later obtained medical reports of the victims. One had a strained neck and strained back and whiplash. Another had neck pain, whiplash and a concussion.

Online court records show Bruhn has no prior criminal record in Wisconsin.