Stepmother disputes accident rumors
JANESVILLE — A good kid.
A hard worker.
A teen on his way home at 9:20 on Friday night.
That’s the way Vickie Rosenow describes her stepson, Nathan Rosenow.
Nathan, 16, was injured Friday night when he fell from the hood of a vehicle in the parking lot of the Rock County Job Center. He remained in critical condition this morning at Mercy Hospital, she said.
Janesville police described the injury as a result of car stunting or car surfing.
But his stepmother said that’s not the case.
“It sounds like they were having a wild night, they weren’t,” Rosenow said. “He wasn’t standing on the car or anything like that.”
According to police reports, Jason T. Klein, 17, of 1237 S. Arch St. was driving his mother’s sport utility vehicle when Nathan “belly flopped” onto the hood of the car. Klein was driving about 20 to 25 mph. Some witnesses told police Nathan fell off when Klein braked; others say he fell off during a sharp turn.
Nathan’s stepmom doesn’t dispute how he got his injuries. She just can’t believe that he’s the kind of young man who would do reckless car stunts.
“It was an impulse thing,” she said.
Nathan had talked to his father at 9:18 p.m. and told him he was coming home.
“Nathan had to work the next morning at the hospital,” Vickie said. “He’s had a job there for almost a year; he collects the dirty linen.”
Nathan had been “very responsible” about the job, earning enough money to buy his own truck.
Nathan suffered skull fractures as a result of the accident.
“There are all these stories going around that he’s brain dead, he not,” Rosenow said. “He’s not out of the woods yet, but he’s better.”
Nathan’s mother and father and grandparents “have not left his side.”
His high school friends are distraught and want to see him, but can’t yet.
As for Jason Klein, Rosenow said that the two boys were friends, and Klein probably is suffering, too.
Klein was formally charged Monday with reckless driving causing injury. He was released on a signature bond.
Klein’s next court date has not yet been scheduled.
“I’m not blaming anybody,” Rosenow said. “His father isn’t blaming anybody.”
May 9, 2008 at 12:55 p.m.
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I am sure that step-mom is sincere and honestly devistated at the publicity. None of us were there, and will never know the whole story but it is something that happened and nothing that can be changed. Kids make mistakes, some more serious than others. We can blame and say how bad this was or learn a lesson. Let us all keep the families in our thoughts and prayers.
We as parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends must sieze the opportunity to step in when others need guidance. It certianly isn't something you'll get thanked for or even approval for but it needs to be done. Don't accept what society has taken as the "NORM", it's too easy.
May 9, 2008 at 12:36 p.m.
May 9, 2008 at 5:36 a.m.
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Nathan is doing remarkable. Your prayers and ours are being truly answered and everyones support is unbelievable.
May 7, 2008 at 10:35 a.m.
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My thoughts&prayers go out to both families, to Nat i wish you a speedy and full recovery. Jaybird,i have known you since the day you were born, you are a good kid hang in there.We all know this was a terrible accident. To family and friends lets not pass judgement or blame untill all the facts are in, both families need our support,they have a long road ahead of them. Linda and Jay, we all love you.
May 7, 2008 at 10:18 a.m.
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I am glad to hear there are no harsh feelings here. I graduated with two guys, who a year after graduation were in a drunk driving accident. The passenger was killed and the driver survived. The parents of the passenger did not press charges because, the boys were friends, and other than the guilt the driver has to live with the rest of his life, the situation could have been vice versa and they wouldnt want their son behind bars for life. Im not saying this is the way to go about every situation, but its nice to know there are people out there who have a little heart!
May 6, 2008 at 9:24 p.m.
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This is such a tragic and sad story. This type of thing happens much too often and I truly believe that the media in every form, in a certain way, almost promotes it. I did some dumb things when I was young and I thank God I never hurt anyone else or myself. I believe that, experience, is a great teacher but we HAVE to learn from the mistakes of others. I know this is no help to the families involved, whom my prayers go out to, but I hope it can somehow prevent a terrible thing like this from happening again.
May 6, 2008 at 9:03 p.m.
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Trevor,
you're my favorite.
:]
and i double everything you just said.
May 6, 2008 at 8:57 p.m.
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hey maybe next time anyone decides to say anything harmful they should think of the family like they are not going through enough stress like i read one comment that said why is this news worthy and you know what it is news worthy because their was a kid in this town that came so close to death but know he is doing a lot better and he's going to make it well his chances are better
i don't think that the gazette should of posted that news report but it's not up to me and what I'm wondering is why did you have to put the cops picture in their i mean come on who really care who arrested him i don't maybe next time you should think about putting a picture of Nate their it would of helped people in at least knowing what this kid looked like i hope you people that write these articles take this message to heart because i hate how you guys can post what you want and not get in trouble but i know you got freedom of speech and I'm not going to infringe upon your freedom but I'm just angry about how some people have no feelings about what happened
May 6, 2008 at 8:31 p.m.
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i like this article a lot better than yesturdays.
that's all i gotta say.
we love you nate, you're stubborn as all get out and we all know you'll get threw this.
:]
jay we love you too.
May 6, 2008 at 3:45 p.m.
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My prayers go out to the families of both boys and the boys themselves. Could we hold off judgement of their actions until Nathan is better?
May 6, 2008 at 3:22 p.m.
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My prayers are with the families involved. The key word here is "KIDS" and taking responsibility for ones actions. I am sure that Jason is suffering right along with Nathan.
May 6, 2008 at 3:08 p.m.
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Vickie and Chuck All of us at work send our prayers and are thinking of you.
May 6, 2008 at 2:51 p.m.
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I'm sure the stepmother is in shock from the accident. However, this has overtones of the SF tiger incident, where the young men were drinking, got high and decided to taunt a tiger. The parents of one of the victims defended his son and said that he could never do anything like that. I'm sure that is a natural reaction, for a parent to protect his or her child. But, as in the SF case, the parent wasn't on the scene so the parent's account doesn't really shed much light one what actually happened in that parking lot.
May 6, 2008 at 2:17 p.m.
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I'm sure Nathan is a good kid and I hope he has a full recovery, however, it's not about blame it's about taking responsibility for your actions. If the police can provide the evidence to prove that Jason was driving recklessly at the time of the accident then the D.A. should most definitely prosecute the case. Nathan should also be charged with "346.92(2) Illegal Riding" for his part in the accident. There is a reason you are not supposed to ride on the outside of vehicles whether it be stunting, surfing or belly flopping.
May 6, 2008 at 1:48 p.m.
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kids do dangerous things without thinking. i feel this was just one of those things. i hope nathan makes a complete recovery and the driver needs to remember that it is not his fault completely. i hope he feels better too. the DA needs to drop this case NOW!!!! please kids....be careful!
May 6, 2008 at 12:27 p.m.
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My prayers are with the Rosenow Family. A tragic accident is always hardest when it involves a child. Take care and God Bless.
May 6, 2008 at 11:26 a.m.
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I am glad to hear that Nathan is doing better and that there are no harsh feelings between the family and Jason. My prayers are with both families and hope for the best in both situations
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