Biracial woman, 18, in Wisconsin says white men called her N-word, set her on fire – NBC News

Police in Madison, Wisconsin, launched a hate crime investigation after a biracial African American girl stated a team of white men doused her with lighter fluid and obtain her on fire.

Althea Bernstein, 18, told investigators she used to be stopped at a internet site internet site visitors light within town at round 1 a.m. Wednesday when she heard any individual bawl a racial slur by her rolled-down window, according to a police division incident report.

“She looked and noticed four men, all white. She says one worn a spray bottle to deploy a liquid on her face and neck, after which threw a flaming lighter at her, inflicting the liquid to ignite,” the report states.

Bernstein used to be in a space to pat out the flames after which drove dwelling. Her mother told her to fling to the correctly being center, where she used to be told that the liquid used to be believed to be lighter fluid.

A report got by NBC affiliate WMTV in Madison reveals accidents to Bernstein’s neck and the aspect of her face.

Family spokesman Michael Johnson, CEO of the Boys & Ladies Clubs of Dane County, stated Bernstein used to be driving to a buddy’s dwelling when the boys started yelling the N-phrase after which attacked her whereas she used to be at a crimson light.

Bernstein suffered 2d-and-third level burns and would require additional scientific treatment, he told NBC Files in a mobile phone interview Friday.

“She’s experiencing trauma unbiased now but, for what took station to her, she’s doing better,” he stated, calling her a true younger girl.

The family is specializing in Bernstein’s correctly being and restoration. In a assertion released by Johnson, they stated that they are “saddened by what took station to Althea and the unprovoked assault on her physique.”

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway stated she spoke with Bernstein’s family and called the alleged assault “horrifying and totally unacceptable.”

“Whereas we’re serene discovering out extra relating to the principle points, recent details suggests this might per chance per chance need been a premeditated crime focused in opposition to of us of color, which makes the incident well-known extra traumatic,” she wrote in a assertion.

“Everyone in Madison deserves to actually feel true, and it is as much as each and every single one of us to manufacture that appropriate. We ought to present kindness and compassion for every and every deal of, and we must always care relating to the safety and properly-being of those round us.”

Joel DeSpain, a police spokesman, stated Friday that detectives are reviewing surveillance cameras to peer if they captured the incident. To this point, no arrests were made.

Johnson stated Bernstein would not know the boys and despite what she’s persisted, she has forgiven them.

“She used to be telling me that she truly forgives the those that fetch executed this to her and hopes that they earn their lives together,” he stated.