MILWAUKEE — Five people, including a one-year-old girl, were killed in a crash near 60th and Fond du Lac late Sunday night, police say.
It happened just before midnight Sunday night in the 6000 block of W. Fond du Lac Ave., according to a news release from police.
According to a report from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office, the driver of a Kia Sedona was traveling west on W. Fond Du Lac Ave. at about 80 miles per hour when it ran a red light and slammed into a Dodge Journey, which was traveling north on N. 60th St.
Content warning: Some may find this video disturbing. TMJ4 News has paused the video before the moment of impact.
Six or seven people were inside the Kia and "several" were thrown from the car. Four people died at the scene, police say.
The victims who died at the scene are 1-year-old Aniya Robinson, two 15-year-old girls, Mikayla Rattler and Mercedez Brown-Weeks, and 17-year-old Israel Williams, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office. A 32-year-old Milwaukee man was also pronounced dead later Monday morning. The medical examiner identified him as Lorenzo Trotter.
The driver of the car with the five victims was taken to a local hospital and is in serious condition. She was arrested for homicide by negligent operation/vehicle.
Another passenger from that car, a 17-year-old girl, was also hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the Dodge Journey, a 32-year-old woman, was taken into custody on suspicion of operating while intoxicated. Charges are pending.
Milwaukee's police chief says this is the deadliest crash in the city this year.
We asked the chief if investigators found out why the driver blew the red light. Chief Jeffrey Norman said, “I do know there was abnormal speeds involved so that's a whole issue in itself… which is unacceptable in this city.”
The chief believes our efforts to curb reckless driving have gone far, but we need to keep pushing on. This includes teaching about the importance of safe driving in our schools. Chief Norman suggests, “Bringing drivers ed back to our young ones, having the type of outreach and telling them the dangers of driving reckless at a high rate of speed."
"I loved that little girl so much. And now she's gone," said Reba Beckworth, the great-grandmother of 1-year-old Aniya Robinson. "I can't do nothing for her but just cry. That's all I can do."
Beckworth would often watch Aniya at her home in Milwaukee. The two would play games, she said, and watch TV together. Beckworth recorded many long videos of the little girl growing up in front of her eyes.
"And she'll sit by me. And she'll pull my hair and kiss me on the jaw and do a lot of good things with me. And I just loved her," said Beckworth.
Beckworth said this tragedy was entirely preventable.
VIDEO: 1-year-old Aniya Robinson
“I hope everybody pays attention to the streets and red lights and the kids. Make sure they keep up safe and buckled down in their car seats, so nothing like this happens to other kids. It’s not the kids' fault. It’s the grown people’s fault," she said.
In a statement released Monday morning, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson mourned the tragic loss:
“The loss of lives overnight is horrifying," Mayor Johnson said. "The serious injuries and the ages of the people involved compound the tragedy. I extend my condolences to the families and friends of the victims."
His full statement says: “My administration has directed significant effort to make our roadways safer and to stop reckless driving. We have redesigned streets, prioritized enforcement, changed laws and incorporated best practices through efforts like Vision Zero.
“Clearly, there is more work to do. And, addressing the human factor – the actions of drivers – is a big part of the efforts ahead.
“When tons of automobile metal collide at high speeds, the outcome is never good. My hope is that last night’s incidents provide a wakeup call throughout Milwaukee, reminding drivers to follow traffic rules thoughtfully and cautiously.”
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
