The following article was posted on www.todaystmj4.com
Crash Also Takes Life Of Educator's Daughter
OCONOMOWOC - The Friday accident that killed educator Jennifer Bukosky has now claimed the life of her daughter as well.
Bukosky's daughter Courtney Bella died at Children's Hospital Saturday afternoon, according to family members. She was a fourth grader at Summit Elementary in the Oconomowoc School District.
There are also new details emerging about the driver of the other vehicle in the crash. The 55-year-old man is a former prominent surgeon in the Milwaukee area.
In 2004, he was forced to surrender his medical license for forging prescription drugs for himself.
Police arrested him after he received medical treatment for wounds suffered in the accident. He remained in custody Saturday night and planned to meet with his lawyer Sunday.
Jennifer Bukosky, 39, was an administrator at Oconomowoc High School. Her passion for young people has been replaced with the pain of those she left behind. To make matters worse, Oconomowoc School District Superintendent Pat Neudecker said Bukosky was several months pregnant.
"It's a tremendous loss for our school and our community," said Neudecker.
Bukosky died after a Cadillac Escalade apparently smashed into the back of her Honda on Highway 67 at Pabst Road just North of I-94. Witnesses told TODAY'S TMJ4 that the car was so badly crushed it was unrecognizable.
Courtney and two other children were in the car. Bukosky's son has been treated and released from the hospital. A girl that was in the car remained hospitalized Saturday.
Bukosky was fairly new to the district. She taught English for a year and then last year became the high school's associate principal.
"Our first thoughts are for the family. We also recognize the loss this means for our students and our entire school community," said Neudecker.
Families in the school district should expect an e-mail update Sunday with counseling information. Professionals will be on hand Monday to help students and staff cope at Summit Elementary, where Courtney was a student, and at the high school.
"I know our entire staff is thinking about Jen and her family and at the same time trying to sort out how we'll go on," said Neudecker.
Jordan Raether, an Oconomowoc High School junior, set up a Facebook group page in honor of Jennifer Bukosky. More than 200 students had joined the page as of Saturday night. It's become a forum for students to share stories and memories.
"All the kids at school were HER kids," Raether told TODAY'S TMJ4 reporter Tom Murray. "She just treated them like (they were) her own."
Holly Gascon, a senior, is one of the friends who joined the page.
"When she was my teacher," reflected Gascon. "She brought her kids in once for bring-your-kids-to-work day. They're just completely like her, completely open and fun loving."
Students shed tears over a growing tribute of pictures and flowers near the accident scene.
"It's still disbelief," said sophomore Kayla Krueger, who came to pay her respects. "I still think it's a dream. I'm in complete shock."
