WAUWATOSA — Wauwatosa police believe a driver intentionally hit a 47-year-old woman and then drove off earlier Thursday morning. The woman later died from injuries, police said.
The police department ruled the incident a homicide in an update. Police are also connecting an attempted auto theft at the Holiday Inn, at 11111 W. North Ave., to the fatal hit-and-run in the 11000 block of West North Avenue.
Police said in a statement the victim tried to intervene in the attempted auto theft and was struck by a dark-colored SUV. The victim later died from injuries at the scene of the incident.
The suspect's vehicle was last seen speeding down eastbound lanes of West North Avenue just before 2 a.m.
The victim's identity is not being released at this time, police said. "Our investigators are following up on numerous investigative leads, verifying and confirming witness accounts, and developing new information. To protect the integrity of the investigation, we cannot release additional information at this time," according to the statement.
#Breaking in Wauwatosa — a busy intersection leading to the interstate is surrounded by police tape after a deadly hit and run. Police tell me the area will remain closed to traffic as investigators work to reconstruct the accident. @tmj4 pic.twitter.com/HC8t5cbZIc
— Andrea Albers (@AndreaAlbersTV) October 14, 2021
Jada Krist, a woman who lives in an apartment building along West North Avenue heard the police sirens and went to look at what was happening, assuming she'd see a driver pulled over. What she witnessed instead was jarring. "I went out to the balcony and I saw a lady lying in the street and they were performing CPR on her," recalled Krist.
Police continued in a statement: "Public safety is a shared responsibility. This homicide was not a targeted act, but a random act of senseless violence. Auto thefts and reckless driving are plaguing the metropolitan Milwaukee area. It’s a problem affecting all community members and we need to come together to combat this issue. Each of us working together will produce a safe community for everyone."
Anyone with information is urged to come forward and speak with investigators. Callers may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward. You can contact Wauwatosa Crime Stoppers at 414-771-TOSA (8672) or download the “P3 Tips” app in the Apple store or on Google Play.
