NewsLocal News

Actions

Driver killed in Milwaukee after losing control, hitting tree

Posted at 6:09 AM, Jul 12, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-12 13:48:19-04

A car crash so gruesome Michael Zilinski said even after living on Milwaukee's south side near Whitnall and Howard for 39 years, this is unlike anything he’s ever seen before.

“[It sounded like] crunch," Zilinski said. 

"The impact was just a wallop," he continued. 

A wallop so intense, the car is barely recognizable.

All that remains is a mangled mess of metal and debris. Police said a 22-year-old driver was behind the wheel, and speed may have been a factor when the driver lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a tree. This all happened at about 1:30 AM Thursday morning. 

“Heartache," Zilinski said. 

"Someone right now is getting bad news. It’s a shame," he continued. 

Zilinski isn’t the only one who spent Thursday morning trying to wrap his head around what may have led to this deadly scene. A number of his neighbors like Josh Laquee were busy with brooms and blowers cleaning up the aftermath while trying to make sense of it all.

“This road is known for being an issue with speed," Laquee said. 

"People drive very fast down it, and I’d like to see that change," he continued. 

Laquee said if nothing else, he hopes this is a wake-up call for all Milwaukeeans driving at dangerously high speeds.