The following article was posted on www.todaystmj4.com
Exclusive: Crash Witness Speaks Out
OCONOMOWOC - Students from Oconomowoc High School and Summit Elementary School are saying goodbye to their associate principal and a classmate at the Pagenkopf Funeral Home Wednesday night.
We've also learned some new information on the crash that killed Jennifer Bukosky, her 10-year-old daughter Courtney Bella and her unborn daughter Sophia on Friday.
There's another family feeling the pain of the accident that we haven't heard from: a third vehicle that was involved in the crash.
It's a TODAY'S TMJ4 exclusive.
The crash scene was horrific. Three lives were taken by the crush of speeding steel.
That afternoon, there was a third car involved, and a close call for Brian Richert.
"We were so speechless, we didn't know what to do," Richert said.
When the SUV slammed into Bukosky's car, her car went forward and hit the Richert's SUV. You can see the damage, even though it's minor compared to the other vehicles.
"My wife was the vehicle right before them, my two kids were, my 6-year-old and my 8-year-old, they were hit. It's been pretty bad since," Richert said.
Richert said his wife is a nurse. She jumped out of the car and ran to help. Kim Richert and Jennifer Bukosky were strangers, but they shared the final moments of Jennifer's life.
"She was feeling the pulse and trying to just do whatever God was allowing her to do," Brian Richert said.
Unfortunately, it didn't turn out the right way.
TODAY'S TMJ4's Mick Trevey: "She held Jen's hand as she passed away?"
"Right. According to my wife, she was trying to comfort and do everything she can to help the situation," Richert said.
Even though Richert's two kids are just fine, their family is still feeling immense grief.
"Yes we're lucky, but they're not, and out of respect for the beautiful woman that she was and the children, no one was lucky," Richert said.
TODAY'S TMJ4's Mick Trevey talked to Kim Richert off camera. She said that after all she has now learned about Jen Bukosky, she is sure Jen would have helped her if the situation was reversed.
