GREENFIELD, Wisconsin -- A fight over a handicapped parking spot outside a Wisconsin Walmart sent an elderly woman to the hospital. The suspect was accused of using her chest to knock a 71-year-old woman to the ground during the fight. According to a police report, 32-year-old Kezia Perkins was attempting to park in a handicapped spot at the Walmart store. When she could not make the turn, a 71-year-old driver pulled into the same spot.
"They both had handicapped tags," witness John Rawlings said. "The older lady took the spot."
Surveillance photos then showed Perkins go up to the victim's car and yell through the passenger side window. After waiting a moment, the 71-year-old woman exited her vehicle, and Perkins approached her.
"This lady chest-butted," Rawlings said.
A nearby officer was flagged down. Perkins allegedly told police "it's not my fault the elderly woman bounced off my big (chest)." When police ran her license, they found it was suspended and Perkins' handicapped placard was not valid. That placard wasn't even registered in Perkins' name, police said.
Rawlings said he tended to the victim, who was lying on the snowy pavement.
"From what she told me when I was tending to her, she just had hip surgery done. She couldn`t move. It may have come undone," Rawlings said.
According to police, the woman ended up going through five hours of surgery. Perkins was charged with aggravated battery. FOX6 News reached out to her lawyer for comment, and he has issued this statement:
We maintain Ms. Perkins' innocence relating to the charges that have been brought by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office. This was an unfortunate accident that came about after a misunderstanding between two individuals. Ms. Perkins is, herself, disabled, however the fact that her disability is not immediately noticeable led to confusion between the two women.
More than anything, this case highlights the need for individuals to be aware of and sensitive to the fact that many people may suffer from disabilities and ailments that are not always readily noticeable. We believe that the facts will come out as this matter progresses and that ultimately Ms. Perkins will be cleared of the charges in this case.
Perkins will be in court next week.
