The man arrested under suspicion of killing a 4-year-old girl in a hit-and-run crash in Milwaukee on Tuesday was previously convicted of killing another pedestrian while driving without a license.
The 30-year-old man, who the Journal Sentinel is not naming because he has not been charged in the death of Zekani Hymes-Wilson, was given three years of probation after pleading guilty to a felony in the 2018 crash that killed a 36-year-old man.
Tuesday evening, the man was arrested following a vehicle chase with police near the 7200 block of West North Avenue, under suspicion of second-degree reckless homicide, according to police.
Earlier that day, at 11:25 a.m., Zekani was walking across the 6900 block of North Teutonia Avenue with her 27-year-old mother when a speeding vehicle struck them both and fled the scene.
Zekani died less than an hour later. Her mother was hospitalized with injuries. An update on her condition was not available Thursday.
That crash has angered city officials and those who know Zekani and her family . At a press conference Tuesday, Mayor Cavalier Johnson called the actions of the driver “garbage” and “bullshit.”
The previous crash occurred in October 2018, on the 2800 block of West Center Street. It also involved speeding and a pedestrian attempting to cross the road, according to court records.
2018 case yielded stay in House of Corrections
The man pleaded guilty to knowingly operating a vehicle while suspended, causing death. Milwaukee County Judge Jeffrey Wagner sentenced him to two years in prison and three years of extended supervision, but stayed that in favor of three years of probation.
The man had no previous criminal history. He had been cited twice for operating with a suspended license, according to municipal court records.
The conditions of his probation included being forbidden from driving a car without a valid license, logging 100 hours of community service and spending 10 months in the House of Corrections — four of which allowed for work release.
It's unclear, however, if he served all 10 months. Court records indicate he was ordered to be released from the facility before completing the stay in April 2020, citing safety concerns related to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also has yet to pay more than $15,000 in restitution, fines and other surcharges, according to court records.
Municipal court records show the man was cited for speeding and operating after suspension in September 2022, after he was released from supervision by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
Speeding a factor in 2018 crash
According to the criminal complaint, which cites witness accounts and surveillance camera video:
The suspect vehicle had turned onto West Center Street from West Fond du Lac Avenue. In doing so, it turned in front of another car and forced a pedestrian attempting to use the crosswalk to step back to avoid being hit.
The car then proceeded onto Center Street. A second pedestrian was hit when he stepped off a sidewalk to cross the road. As the car approached, both the pedestrian and the driver appeared to try to avoid a collision, but the pedestrian was struck and went airborne.
The driver told a witness afterward that he was speeding and lost control of the car. Police found a black handgun on the front driver’s seat.
Investigation continues
Milwaukee police said charges in Tuesday’s crash are expected to be forwarded to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office in a matter of days. But the investigation into Zekani’s death continues and other known suspects are sought.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or use the P3 Tips app.
Contact Elliot Hughes at elliot.hughes@jrn.com or 414-704-8958. Follow him on Twitter @elliothughes12 .
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Man arrested in death of 4-year-old was previously convicted of killing another pedestrian
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