A Thursday night police chase in Milwaukee ended in a jarring crash at 60th Street and Silver Spring Drive after a fleeing car ran a red light and slammed into another vehicle, authorities said. Two teenagers bolted from the wrecked car before officers caught up with them, and police later determined the vehicle had been reported stolen. A driver in one of the struck cars reported pain but declined transport to a hospital, and prosecutors are now set to review the case.
What police say
Milwaukee police told reporters, as reported by FOX6, that officers first tried to pull the car over for reckless driving near 37th and Hampton at about 8:14 p.m. on Feb. 19. The driver refused to stop, sparking a pursuit that continued until the car blew a red light at 60th and Silver Spring and hit other vehicles in the intersection. According to police, the people inside the suspect car, a 15-year-old boy who was driving and a 14-year-old girl who was riding along, took off on foot but were arrested a short distance away.
Context: pursuit rules and stolen-car trend
The crash unfolded against the backdrop of a tighter Milwaukee Police Department pursuit policy that limits chases when speed is the only factor, a recent change highlighted by Yahoo. At the same time, local coverage has spotlighted a rise in more sophisticated auto thefts, including cases where thieves reprogram key fobs, a pattern that investigators say is helping fuel short but risky chases around the city, according to WISN.
What happens next
Police shared initial details from the scene, and FOX6 reports that criminal charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office for review. From here, investigators typically gather witness statements and look for video to flesh out the case file for prosecutors. Authorities are asking anyone who saw the chase or the crash, or who has relevant information, to contact Milwaukee police.
