Jenni Fischer Charged in Milwaukee Hit-and-Run That Left Lyft Driver Abood Zanoun in a Coma

A Milwaukee woman has been charged in a hit-and-run crash that left a 26-year-old Lyft driver, Abood Zanoun, in a coma — and prosecutors say she later filed a fraudulent insurance claim, falsely alleging she was the victim of a hit-and-run herself.

Court records show Jenni Fischer, 24, was arrested on December 7 and charged with felony hit and run causing great bodily harm, along with a misdemeanor count of fraudulent insurance claims, stemming from a crash that occurred on December 1.

Crash Caught on Video

According to a criminal complaint, the crash happened around 8:40 p.m. on East Juneau Avenue near North Van Buren Street. Surveillance footage shows a white Nissan pulling over on Van Buren Street with hazard lights activated. Two men exited the vehicle and began removing luggage from the trunk.

Moments later, a gray or light-colored SUV traveling south at a high rate of speed is seen striking Zanoun and the parked Nissan. Investigators say the SUV’s taillights were not illuminated at the time of impact. The driver did not stop.

Lyft Driver Abood Zanoun in a Coma

“They never stopped. They never even checked if he was alive,” Zanoun’s cousin, Ameer Zanoun, wrote in a Facebook post. “Our family is devastated. No one deserves this.”

Victim in Critical Condition

Zanoun was rushed to a Milwaukee hospital, where doctors performed emergency brain surgery to relieve swelling. On December 5, surgeons were forced to remove part of his skull during a second operation. He remains in a coma, according to court documents.

“We’re praying he recovers,” Ameer Zanoun wrote, “but we also need accountability and answers.”

Investigation Leads to Arrest

Investigators recovered crash debris at the scene, including vehicle parts with partial serial numbers, which led police to identify the suspect vehicle as a 2017–2024 Jeep Compass Latitude.

According to the complaint, Fischer later filed both a police report and insurance claim for damage to her gray 2018 Jeep Compass, claiming her vehicle was struck while she was at work. Authorities said the damage was consistent with the hit-and-run crash involving Zanoun.

Fischer was taken into custody and remains in the Milwaukee County Jail, according to jail records.

Court Proceedings and Broader Context

During Fischer’s initial court appearance on December 11, Court Commissioner Barry Phillips set bond at $20,000. Fischer is scheduled to return to court on December 17 for a preliminary hearing.

The crash comes amid ongoing concerns about pedestrian safety in Milwaukee County. With just weeks remaining in the year, 14 pedestrians have died in traffic crashes countywide, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. As of December 14, at least 69 people have died in crashes on Milwaukee County roads in 2025.

The case remains under investigation as Zanoun’s family continues to hope for his recovery.