MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee police say reckless driving contributed to a deadly crash near 10th and Wells in downtown Milwaukee on Wednesday.
A 40-year-old Milwaukee man is dead after being struck by a reckless driver around 9 a.m.
According to Milwaukee police, a driver was speeding down Wells Street and ignored a red light at the intersection of 10th. He then struck a vehicle that was being driven northbound on 10th Street through a green light.
Both drivers then traveled east, hitting four unoccupied parked vehicles.
The driver of the struck vehicle, a 40-year-old man, was transported to a local hospital where he later died.
A 22-year-old Milwaukee man was arrested.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office (MCMEO) confirmed the victim as Aaron Strong.
Grace Lutheran Church in downtown Milwaukee said Pastor Strong died after being T-boned at an intersection by a driver who was speeding and ran a red light.
In a post on FacebookWednesday evening, Grace Lutheran said Strong was a pastor at the church for seven years.
Police say the case will be presented to the District Attorney's office in the upcoming days.
Alderman Robert Bauman released a statement about the incident Thursday morning, saying he came upon the crash about 15 minutes after it happened.
"My prayers go out to the victim’s wife and two children, and to the entire Grace Lutheran congregation. The historic downtown church has been a positive force in the area for more than 100 years, and I can only imagine the grief and pain the members are experiencing at this difficult time.
I have driven through that intersection thousands of times over the years, and that victim could have been me, one of my loved ones, or you or someone you love. It is unconscionable that anyone can simply ignore a red light at high speed and play vehicular ‘Russian Roulette.’
I pray the District Attorney’s Office will file vehicular homicide charges against the red light running driver in this case."
