A late-night crash on Milwaukee's near north side left a 5-year-old child battling life-threatening injuries after a car jumped the roadway and plowed into a tree near North 24th Street and West Fond du Lac Avenue on Thursday. Police say the driver, a 27-year-old woman, had to be cut from the wreckage. She was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, then later arrested. A 27-year-old passenger was also hospitalized with injuries that are not considered life-threatening, as reported by WISN 12 News.
Crash details and injuries
The Milwaukee Police Department said the wreck happened around 10:45 p.m., when the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree, according to WISN 12 News. Emergency crews extricated the driver and rushed the child and both adults to nearby hospitals. The child was reported to have life-threatening injuries.
Investigation and charges
Speed is suspected to be a factor in the crash, and criminal charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office, police told CBS 58. Investigators have not publicly released the driver's name and say the case remains under active investigation.
Why this stretch draws attention
Advocates and local business owners have previously pressed for physical safety upgrades along parts of Fond du Lac Avenue after other high-profile crashes, and some stretches being state-managed can make changes more complicated. WISN 12 News has followed those calls for improvements in recent coverage.
What to watch next
Officials say criminal charges will be determined after the department completes its investigation, and investigators have asked anyone with information to contact Milwaukee police, according to FOX6 Milwaukee. This story will be updated as prosecutors or medical officials release additional details.
