MILWAUKEE — The family of Arthur Alexander, a 60-year-old man hospitalized after a hit-and-run Friday night near 13th Street and Atkinson Avenue, is pleading for drivers to slow down.
Alexander's daughter, Brenda Alexander, spent her Saturday at the hospital, where her father remains in critical condition.
"They just called and said he's in the hospital," Brenda said, visibly emotional. "He is not responding at all. They put something in his brain to stop the blood."
She said her dad was leaving a store and crossing Atkinson Avenue when he was hit.
Police said the 60-year-old was struck around 7:15 p.m. while crossing the street by a vehicle traveling westbound, which fled the scene. Alexander was taken to a local hospital.
Brenda described her father as her best friend. Watching him fight for his life has been devastating for the family.
"It's hard watching him like that," Brenda said. "I call his name, but he can't say a word. I'm hurt. I just got done crying."
Residents in the neighborhood are all too familiar with the dangers of the intersection.
"When you go across Atkinson, your life is in danger," said Dave, a neighbor who did not want to be identified on camera.
Dave said a car hit him in the same spot on Dec. 25, 2020.
"That intersection is bad," he said. "A lot of people lose their lives right there on the street. The only thing I wish for is more patrol or at least a speed bump or a stop sign."
According to data from Wisconsin Community Maps, eleven pedestrians were injured on the stretch of road between 12th and 14th streets on Atkinson Avenue in the past five years. Two others were killed in the same stretch.
Brenda is calling for accountability from both drivers and law enforcement.
"I want people to know they need to slow down and do the speed limit on this street. It's ridiculous how fast they're driving, "she said.
"We need to make sure everybody has a license. There needs to be more police outside."
Milwaukee Police continue to seek unknown suspect(s). Anyone with information is asked to contact Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-Tips or P3 Tips.
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