A 19-year-old driver’s attempt to outrun police ended in a violent crash on Milwaukee’s south side Friday, after a pursuit that started in West Allis and left two people in the hospital, authorities said. The fleeing vehicle lost control and slammed into another car on Holt Avenue near Lenox Street, and both the driver and a female passenger were taken to area hospitals for treatment. West Allis officers had earlier tried to pull the car over and deployed tire-deflation devices during the chase, as reported by CBS58.
How the chase unfolded
According to police, officers first tried to stop the vehicle near South 70th Street and West Washington Street when the driver took off instead of pulling over. As the pursuit continued, officers laid down stop sticks near South 70th Street and West Greenfield Avenue in an effort to slow the car.
The vehicle eventually crossed into Milwaukee and, still moving fast, lost control on Holt Avenue near Lenox Street. The crash ended the pursuit and brought paramedics rushing to the scene to transport two people to local hospitals, according to WISN.
Arrests and injuries
The West Allis Police Department said the investigation is ongoing, according to WISN. The 19-year-old driver was arrested and faces multiple charges, including fleeing an officer, first-degree recklessly endangering safety, operating while intoxicated causing great bodily harm, and operating without a license causing great bodily harm.
Authorities have not released details about the passenger’s condition, beyond confirming that she was taken to the hospital for treatment after the collision.
Pursuit tools and local context
The use of tire-deflation devices and other pursuit tactics has been getting extra attention in recent Milwaukee-area coverage as departments try to balance catching fleeing drivers with the risks of high-speed chases. Recent reports on a case where a teen leaps from stolen ride and coverage from CBS 58 have highlighted similar pursuits and the ongoing debate over when officers should keep chasing and when it is safer to back off.
What’s next
The West Allis Police Department says the crash remains under investigation and that any criminal charges will move forward through the Milwaukee County justice system. So far, officials have not released court dates or additional updates on the injured passenger’s condition.
