Tragedy struck on a cold Christmas night in Milwaukee when a Milwaukee County bus collided with two men working on a car, resulting in the death of a 79-year-old man and injuries to a 37-year-old man. According to reports by CBS58, the incident happened near 47th and Villard around 10:30 p.m., where the victims, one identified as Robert Clemons, were hit while standing next to a legally parked car on the street.
The bus driver, a 51-year-old, was arrested at the scene and taken into custody, with charges pending by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, this left the family and the local community reeling from the shock with many unanswered questions about the events that led to this devastating loss. In the aftermath, family members have come forth to express their grief and dismay. According to a WISN 12 News interview, Antwan Jackson, the grandson of the deceased, remembered Robert Clemens as a "good guy," devoted to his family, stating, "He took care of his grandkids, my mom, my brother, he was a nice guy, willing to help anybody."
Antwan’s brother Larry Jackson, the 37-year-old who survived the crash, suffered multiple injuries including a broken arm, leg, and back; his recovery is ongoing, mentioned in the wake of the crash, the family called for greater care and attention to road safety, with the plea, "We need to slow down with the bus, that's not cool," as reported by WISN 12 News.
The Milwaukee Police Department is continuing their investigation into the crash and has appealed to the public for further information to aid their enquiry, which is a procedure that normally follows such incidents, anyone with information has been urged to contact MPD or to submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers, this case has unsurprisingly sparked conversations around public safety and the responsibilities of public transport operators in Milwaukee, as highlighted by coverage from local news outlets such as WBAY.
