WAUWATOSA, Wis. — The name of a Milwaukee public works driver who slammed their truck into cars parked at a Wauwatosa intersection, leaving three people dead, was released by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office Thursday morning.
The 64-year-old woman was identified as Denise Durrah, of Milwaukee. Durrah was one of the three victims killed in the crash.
On Tuesday, the Medical Examiner's Office identified the two other victims who were killed as 85-year-old Paul Woida of Milwaukee and 40-year-old Amy Miller of Cedarburg.
Durrah's daughter told TMJ4 News that her mother suffered a medical emergency and was unable to maintain control of the vehicle before the crash.
The medical examiner's office said Durrah's cause of death was still under review when asked about any health issues.
People close to Durrah described her a loving and caring person who would help anyone.
Durrah was showcased by the City of Milwaukee in April of 2019 for her "quick thinking and action" for helping save a mother and her child in a car crash. According to the employee spotlight piece, Durrah heard a noise that sounded like an explosion. She turned around and saw a car in mid-air, floating over a gate. It then hit another car and came to a rest on its roof.
Durrah rushed over as a young woman was yelling for help. She saw the driver's infant child seated in the back. Durrah and bystanders worked to save the infant from the vehicle. The woman appeared to be stuck, so Durrah found a knife and cut her seatbelt, freeing the driver, according to the employee spotlight piece from the city.
According to a statement from the Department of Public Works, Durrah started with the department in 2018. She worked as a parking enforcement officer, city laborer in the sanitation division and in the street maintenance division, where she helped fill potholes.
"During her time with DPW, Denise was highly regarded among co-workers and supervisors as a gracious and hardworking person," said Commissioner of Public Works Jerrel Kruschke.
Wauwatosa Police reported a Milwaukee DPW truck was traveling 60-70 mph on Mayfair Road. They said it caused a minor hit-and-run at the Watertown Plank Road intersection. Police said that vehicle did not appear to slow down or stop as it approached traffic near Wisconsin Avenue where it ultimately hit 10 cars.
Three other people were hurt in the crash. Two of them were taken to a local hospital. Authorities did not release an update on their condition on Wednesday.
Milwaukee's DPW sent a statement late Wednesday afternoon noting that while they know the employee assigned to that truck but are waiting on the medical examiner to confirm the identity. DPW said it is cooperating with law enforcement and encouraging witnesses to talk to police.
