Woman 'plays dead' to escape attacker near northside BP gas station

MADISON (WKOW) -- Police are investigating after a 57-year-old Madison woman was attacked near a northside BP gas station.

According to a criminal complaint, the woman was walking home from the gas station late Sunday night when Ismael Hernandez-Padilla attacked her; punching her, kicking her and strangling her.

She was able to get away — by playing dead.

A Madison police officer spotted the woman who had visible injuries, and the officer and woman drove back to the scene together, where she saw Hernandez-Padilla walking back toward the gas station. The woman identified him as the man who attacked her.

"From my perspective as a man, I don't think any woman should have to go through that ever," said Zack Hermansen, who works in the area where the assault happened. "They should be able t