MILWAUKEE — On a perfect day enjoying their favorite coffee spot on Brady Street, Rick Panizza and Bruce Henderson are worrying for a staple of the community.
“We all know Quincey very well,” said Henderson.
He and Panizza have lived in the area for decades and have met and interacted with 41-year-old Quincey often in that time.
“He was a well-beloved fixture on Brady Street. Everybody knew him, everybody liked him,” said Panizza.
Quincey is known for giving people fist bumps and big smiles all along the stretch of road. He was badly hurt in a hit-and-run on Sunday.
Family tells TMJ4 off-camera he's in surgery for critical injuries.
Henderson says many are worried for him and his recovery, “A lot of us are really concerned we really care about him.”
On Tuesday, Milwaukee police say they have identified the vehicle used to hit and seriously injure him. The driver drove off and police are still looking for whoever was behind the wheel.
According to a statement from police, the suspect vehicle is a 2011-2017 silver Jeep Patriot with damage to the front of the hood.
Milwaukee Police are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the suspect and vehicle wanted in connection to serious hit and run crash that occurred on Monday, May 29, 2023, at approximately 1:56 a.m., on the 1300 block of E. Brady Street.
The suspect vehicle is described as a 2011-2017 silver Jeep Patriot with damage to the front of the hood.
The suspect vehicle struck a pedestrian that was crossing the street causing life threatening injuries. The unknown driver fled the scene in the vehicle.
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 App.
Panizza says the driving on Brady Street is often not safe for pedestrians. He tells TMJ4 that people drive 40 to 60 miles per hour even though the speed limit is 25 miles per hour.
Brian Hall agrees with Panizza's concerns. He's been advocating for safety changes since he witnessed his friend, Arne Bast, die from a hit-and-run just seven months ago on the same street.
He created a petition asking for more street and traffic lights, a lower speed limit, and speed bumps on the road.
"2,500 people signed it within 24 hours," said Hall.
That petition prompted the Business Improvement District to launch a safety study for the area. The results of which haven't been released.
Hall says hearing about Quincey is another tragic example that something needs to be done.
"We’re just trying to enjoy ourselves, support local businesses, and all in the meanwhile we’re at risk every time we walk across the street."
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
A driver hit and seriously injured a pedestrian on Brady Street early Monday morning, according to police.
According to a statement from Milwaukee police, the incident happened around 2 a.m. near Brady and Arlington.
According to MPD, a silver SUV struck a pedestrian who was crossing the street. The driver of the vehicle did not stop and instead drove off. The pedestrian, identified as a 41-year-old Milwaukee man, was brought to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.
Officers are trying to track down the driver and their vehicle.
People who were in the area that night say it happened in front of Jack's and Jo-Cats. Mya Blackowicz, a bartender at JoCats, was inside closing up when she said someone ran in saying a man had been hit. She said everyone was devastated when they heard it was Quincey who had been hit and severely injured.
"He came up on their car and then he flew off and then because they decided to keep going they proceeded to run him over. So it was just a horrible situation," Blackowicz said. "It was very traumatic because I guess his shoes like flew. They were going so fast."
Blackowicz described Quincey as a friend.
"He comes in every day, he's just the light of our life. He lights up a room when he walks in. And this should never happen to anyone," she said.
Alex Schwind is another friend of Quincey's who described him as always singing and dancing.
"He's an absolute staple of this community, he's always got a big smile," Schwind said.
He said he wasn't surprised to hear of yet another hit-and-run along Brady St.
"It's not shocking because I see it happen all the time. And there's these yield for pedestrian signs, but no one slows down," Schwind. "It's chaotic, absolutely chaotic. Cars and motorcycles going 50 miles per hour with no repercussions."
A GoFundMe for Quincey was created. To donate, click here.
Milwaukee Police are investigating a serious collision that occurred on Monday, May 29, 2023, at approximately 1:56 a.m., on the 1300 block of E. Brady Street. A silver SUV struck a pedestrian that was crossing the street. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene. The pedestrian, a 41-year-old Milwaukee man, was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. Milwaukee Police continue to seek the vehicle and the driver. 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.
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