COTTAGE GROVE, Wis. (WKOW) — The man accused of running down and killing a beloved local chiropractor with his SUV is now charged with first-degree intentional homicide. Investigators believe the motive could be linked to an alleged criminal act between the two families' children.
Jeffrey Endres, 49, is also charged with two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and mistreatment of animals, according to the criminal complaint filed in Dane County Circuit Court.
Investigators say Endres drove his SUV off the road on the 1300 block of Landmark Drive and hit Dr. Kami Hansen, her husband, son and their dog. The family had been out for an evening walk at the time.
The crash was reported at 6:36 p.m. on April 28.
The family dog, a black pit-bull terrier, died at the scene. Hansen was later pronounced dead at the hospital. She was 41.
Hansen's son, who was also seriously hurt, has since been released from the hospital. He suffered a concussion and injuries to his knees. He also needs to wear an arm cast from his shoulder to his fingers, according to court records.
Hansen's husband "did not require immediate medical attention for his injuries," according to the criminal complaint.
Witnesses reported that Endres' vehicle was speeding when it left the roadway. As they were walking, Hansen's husband said he looked up to see the SUV "flooring it" in their direction. Another child of Hansen's witnessed the crash from the family's backyard across the street. That child told Hansen's husband, "He tried to hit you."
Another driver on the road estimated Endres to be driving at least 40 mph prior to the crash. The speed limit on that road is 25 mph.
The impact of the crash threw Dr. Kami Hansen about 25 to 30 feet, according to the complaint. The vehicle was found overturned next to the Grand Appliance building.
Hansen's husband felt the crash was intentional because he heard the engine revving but did not recall hearing tires squealing or the horn honking. After the crash, he recalled seeing Endres with a "smug look on his face" and was not displaying a "normal reaction to what happened."
Endres is a neighbor of the Hansen family, and tensions between Endres and the Hansens had escalated due to prior allegations involving their children, according to the complaint.
Endres, who admitted to being the driver, reportedly told police he was "having a bad day" and had been experiencing suicidal thoughts.
According to the complaint, Endres' and Hansen's children were on the same gymnastics team. The families would carpool to practices and meets. They had been friendly up until recently, police said.
The relationship with the families changed after an allegation of "a sensitive crime" involving Hansen's son, who was hit by the vehicle, and Endres' minor child. After those allegations in March, the families had no contact, the complaint stated.
Hansen's husband believes Endres intentionally hit the family due to the allegations that his son engaged in criminal activity with Endres' minor child. Police investigating the criminal activity found videos on the son's phone that "victimized Endres' child," the complaint states.
The complaint states Endres requested the police reports of that investigation and received them less than three hours prior to the crash.
Endres made his initial court appearance on Monday. During court, Wisconsin District Attorney William Brown said the crash was not an accident.
"This was an intentional act by Mr. Endres and as the complaint shows, essentially an act of vigilante justice," said Brown.
Endres' bail was set at $1 million.
The Cottage Grove Police Department continues to investigate.
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