A Milwaukee family is grappling with tragedy following the death of a local man who was just shy of his 30th birthday. D'monte Owens was killed when his vehicle was struck by another driver, suspected of being under the influence. The crash occurred on Wednesday night, near the intersection of S. 76th Street and W. Morgan Avenue, as reported by WTMJ.
The incident took place around 7:20 p.m., when, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner, both vehicles had a yellow light. Owens, a 29-year-old father from Wauwatosa, was transported to the hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. The other involved, a 21-year-old driver with a suspended license, has been arrested with charges pending review by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.
In the gut-wrenching aftermath, Owens' loved ones have come forward to speak on the profound impact he had on their lives. His best friend, Doug Washington, shared his grief in an interview with WISN, stating, "We went through everything together. We grew up together, we made life decisions together, we really relied on each other." Owens's presence as a father left a mark not just on his own child, but also on those who were a part of his life, with Washington adding, "I raise my kids, and I look at them a lot, and I just think about him and what they are going through."
Owens' brother, Antwan Sterling, expressed the sorrow over the loss of the close-knit bond with his sibling to PEOPLE, "He loved that baby so much, I think that is why I hurt so much, man, because he loved her so much. He did everything right and it just hurts, bro, because that is my only brother, I don't have nobody else." Owens was approaching a milestone in his personal life, with his 30th birthday around the corner, and a wedding celebration abroad planned with his wife, who called him "the best father in the world."
An investigation into the deadly crash remains ongoing. Meanwhile, the community and Owens' family are left to confront a future devoid of his presence. Following the sudden loss, people connected to Owens are honoring his memory and grappling with the void left by the accident that claimed a man on the verge of celebrating life's significant moments, including his daughter's continued growth and his own marriage celebration.
