Kenosha man arrested for Highway 50 crash Saturday: 4 year old in critical condition

A Kenosha man has been arrested in connection with a crash on Saturday on Highway 50 in Salem that caused multiple serious injuries.

The following is from a statement released by the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department:

“On 06-09-12 at 1014 hours deputies responded with Salem Fire/Rescue and Silver Lake Rescue to the scene of a serious injury accident in the 27600 block of Sth 50.  Four people were injured, one very seriously, when a West bound truck driven by Byron Baker (58 yoa, of Kenosha) swerved to avoid a vehicle that was slowing or stopped.  Baker’s truck drove through the grass median and struck an east bound vehicle in the side. Baker sustained minor injuries.  He was treated and released from Aurora Hospital.  The adult driver and two young children (two yoa & four yoa) who occupied the West bound vehicle were injured in the crash.  The driver was treated and released from St. Catherine’s Hospital.  The two year old was transported to St. Catherine’s Hospital and then transferred to Children’s Hospital by rescue squad.  The two year old was treated in the emergency department at Children’s Hospital and released.  The four year old received a very serious head injury and was taken by Flight for Life to Children’s Hospital.  As of 5:00 PM today the four year old was still in critical condition.  Both children were properly restrained in child safety seats at the time of the accident. Baker apparently was distracted while he was driving by an event taking place in the parking lot of a business adjacent to Highway 50. When he turned his attention back to the road he swerved to avoid a car slowing and almost stopped in the road in front of him.  Baker does not possess a valid driver’s license and had a valid commitment for operating a vehicle after suspension.  Baker did not appear to be impaired and voluntarily submitted to a blood test, however, a marijuana pipe was found in Baker’s truck.”

The Sheriff’s Department statement included several charges that Baker May face but for which he has not been formally charged. (Our policy is to not connect people with specific charges until they have been formally charged. We will publish a new post when that happens in this case. — DH)

Our original reporting by Karen Mahoney and photos from the scene by Earlene Frederick are here: http://westofthei.com.customers.tigertech.net/2012/06/09/flight-for-life-being-called-to-highway-50-accident/31340

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3 Comments

  1. Chris says:

    Is there an update on the 4yr old boy? Very concerned as my heart goes out to the family.

  2. illy b says:

    I pray the baby is ok.

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