LaCage NiteClub owner hospitalized after scooter collision on Milwaukee sidewalk

A downtown Milwaukee scooter collision has left a Milwaukee bar owner hospitalized with serious injuries, prompting city leaders to consider tighter restrictions on scooter use. The crash occurred Tuesday night near Martin Luther King Drive and State Street and involved a Lime scooter rider and Dave Wolz, owner of La Cage Nightclub. Video footage shows the moment of impact, followed by customers on a nearby patio rushing to help Wolz, who lay on the ground in shock and barely moving. Wolz told 12 News by phone Wednesday that he remains hospitalized at Froedtert Hospital with two broken bones in his foot, three broken ribs, and fractures in his spine. He is scheduled for spinal fusion surgery on Friday, followed by surgery on his foot. Michael Coronado, assistant general manager of Oak Barrel Public House, located across the street from the crash site, said scooter safety has been a growing concern in the area. "I feel like with the scooters it has definitely been a problem," Coronado said. "I think it needs a little bit of enforcement." Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said the scooter rider was apprehended by police and is expected to face a felony charge for riding a scooter on the sidewalk and seriously injuring Wolz. "I am glad that actually he was apprehended by the Milwaukee Police Department, and he is going to be recommended to get a felony charge for riding a scooter on the sidewalk," Johnson said. The mayor added that he has been in touch with his team to explore ways to prevent future scooter collisions. "We're having conversations now again. I mean, this is the first I saw when you sent me the video," Johnson said. "I have talked to my Department of Public Works about what some of the options are." Alderman Bob Bauman, who represents the downtown Milwaukee area, said the crash may be the tipping point for tighter scooter regulations. "We are reviewing options including imposing more restrictive speed limits on scooters. Short of that, we may review the scooter program in its entirety," Bauman wrote to 12 News. Parts of the city already have measures in place to limit scooter use. Some areas, such as where the crash occurred, are designated as "slow zones," where scooter speeds are automatically reduced. Other areas, like East State Street, are "no-go zones," where scooters are disabled entirely. Coronado said until further changes are made, pedestrians need to remain vigilant. "You kinda have to look both ways for a scooter," Coronado said.