Snowplow hits pedestrian

TOWN OF CLAYTON - The Winnebago County Sheriff's department says the roads were snow covered and slick when they responded to an incident Tuesday night.

"We ended up having a private contractor snowplow that ended up striking a pedestrian that was walking on the roadway," said Lt. Todd Christopherson of the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department.

The pedestrian hit is being identified as 47-year-old Mark Valentino of Menasha. He was flown to Theda Clark with life threatening injuries.

"He's still in critical condition at this point," said Christopherson.

The driver who allegedly hit him is 31-year-old Scott Weber of Neenah who was driving with a revoked license. The sheriff's department says he works for Fox Valley Asphalt and was on his way to another plow site when the accident happened. Lt. Todd Christopherson says the investigation is still ongoing to determine if alcohol was a factor for either the driver or pedestrian and where on the roadway the accident took place.

"The accident reconstructionists are still trying to determine the point of impact, exactly where the pedestrian and vehicle were located at the point of impact," said Christopherson.

But Weber, who declined to speak with us on camera says the pedestrian wasn't walking on the shoulder he was in the lane of traffic when he struck him. Meanwhile authorities with the sheriff's department say they're uncertain why Valentino was walking on the road at night.

"We're not sure yet. There are some taverns in that area," said Christopherson.

Or how he got there.

"We have nothing to indicate he was driving a vehicle," said Christopherson.

Weber was arrested and released. The sheriff's department says he could be looking at a $10,000 fine and nine months in jail.

While it's legal the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department does not recommend walking on the shoulder of rural roads at night, especially in poor weather conditions. If you do, they advise people to wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight.