Kenosha authorities identify physician, nurse, dentist killed by suspected drunk driver

A physician, a nurse and a dentist who were killed by a suspected drunk driver in Kenosha County were identified by the sheriff's office Monday.

Michael J. Rizzo, 67, a physician, nurse Mary C. Rizzo, 74, and Vincent C. Rizzo, 76, a dentist, all of Kenosha, were fatally injured in the crash, reported shortly before 7 p.m., Friday in the 21600 block of Highway 50 (75th Street) in the Village of Bristol, according to a news release and a relative.

A fourth occupant of the SUV they were in, Gerald J. Rizzo, 72, of Kenosha, was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, but was in stable condition on Monday, according to the release.

The four were occupants of an SUV that was eastbound on Highway 50 when it was struck from behind by a pickup truck driven by Timothy G. Vandervere, 40, of Beach Park, Illinois, sheriff's officials said.

Witnesses said Vandervere was speeding and driving erratically just before the crash. His driving record includes an offense from 2005 for injury by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle, and though he has a valid Illinois driver's license his Wisconsin license is revoked, the sheriff's office said.  

Vandervere was also injured. He was released from the hospital Monday and is in custody at the Kenosha County Jail. Vandervere is expected to have his initial appearance at Kenosha Intake Court on Tuesday on multiple charges of homicide, reckless injury and operating under the influence.