An innocent Wauwatosa woman was killed by a reckless driver who was in a stolen car at the intersection of West Capitol Drive and North 100th Street at 11 a.m. on November 2, 2023, according to Wauwatosa Police Chief James MacGillis.
A neighbor told WISN-TV that the victim, 32, who has not yet been named by police, was pregnant. WRN is withholding her name until it is publicly released.
The Wauwatosa death comes after two fatal crashes that occurred Sunday night in Milwaukee. Both crashes also resulted in fatalities in vehicles that were not at fault for the crashes.
“A Wauwatosa resident is dead and a suspect is at large following a fatal hit and run motor vehicle crash on W. Capitol Dr. at N. 100 St. This death is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can follow reckless driving on our roads,” the chief said in a news release.
Wauwatosa/Milwaukee – 100/Capitol – Around -1045Am today, vehicle that originally fled from police crashed with fatal injuries in the vehicle that was struck #Pursuit #Wauwatosa #Milwaukee #USFiR pic.twitter.com/YEvDjjZbX5
— USFiR2015 (@USFiR2015) November 2, 2023
WTMJ-4 published surveillance video of the Wauwatosa crash although it was edited to exclude the moment of impact.
Earlier today, the chief wrote, a Wauwatosa police officer “tried to conduct a routine traffic stop on a vehicle with no license plates. Instead of stopping, the individual driving the vehicle decided to flee. As the officer initially gave chase, the driver sped up, driving dangerously. The officer stopped pursuing.”
The release says the driver “continued to speed away, showing an utter disregard for our community. The driver caused an awful crash, which resulted in the death of an innocent woman. It was later learned that the fleeing vehicle had been reported stolen.”
“The Wauwatosa Police Department has been, and is committed to, combating reckless driving. We partner with area police agencies on a regular basis through targeted enforcement strategies to get through to those dangerous drivers that their behavior needs to stop,” MacGillis said. “It hurts us that an innocent person died today because of someone’s irresponsible behavior. Please continue to support us as we do our part in working toward a solution to this ongoing problem of reckless driving.”
The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) is conducting the criminal investigation, “and are seeking the driver, who fled the crash scene on foot. We thank MPD and the Wauwatosa Fire Department for their responses and work at the scene. Lastly, we offer our condolences to the family and friends of the victim of this crash,” said the Wauwatosa chief.
MPD released the following statement:
“Milwaukee Police are investigating a fatal hit and run crash that occurred on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at approximately 10:42 a.m., on W. Capitol Drive at N. 100 Street. Prior to the crash, a Wauwatosa police officer tried to stop a vehicle, which fled. The officer terminated pursuit, however, the vehicle (Unit #1) continued to flee and crashed with an uninvolved vehicle (Unit #2). The driver of the suspect vehicle fled the scene on foot. The suspect vehicle had been reported stolen days earlier. The driver of unit #2, a 32-year-old, sustained fatal injuries. Milwaukee Police continue to seek an unknown suspect. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-Tips or P3 Tips.”
