MILWAUKEE — Court documents allege that the Milwaukee man charged in connection with a hit-and-run that killed a 25-year-old Milwaukee woman days before her birthday told police he previously had his license revoked due to a DUI.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Woman killed in hit-and-run crash on Milwaukee's north side, man arrested
Prosecutors say that after the crash, Shanton Jr. Lay, 34, turned himself in, allegedly approaching a Milwaukee police officer on Oct. 11, stating that he was wanted in connection to the crash.
According to a criminal complaint filed Oct. 14, Lay told police “I ******* killed somebody."
The victim was Keiairra Travis, whose family says she was celebrating her birthday weekend on Oct. 11 with her sisters at Prime Social, a bar near 76th Street and Good Hope Road, when the tragedy occurred.
Watch: Woman killed in hit-and-run crash on Milwaukee's north side, man arrested
The complaint details Lay’s alleged confession to investigators a couple of days later, when he allegedly admitted to the hit-and-run, which he said occurred while he was driving his girlfriend’s Mazda.
He allegedly told investigators that, prior to the crash, he was coming from a friend’s house and going to Prime Social, the same club where Travis had just celebrated her birthday.
He claimed he had not been drinking or using drugs prior to the crash. Prosecutors say Lay also told police where to find the car, which they say had extensive front-end damage.
In an interview with investigators, Lay claimed that Travis did not dart out; rather, she was simply standing in the road, and he did not see her until it was too late. Lay allegedly admitted to driving away after the crash, telling investigators that his mind “kind of went black” and that he was scared.
An autopsy revealed that Travis sustained multiple blunt-force injuries, resulting in her death.
Lay also allegedly revealed that his driving status was revoked and that he believes it was due to unpaid tickets and a DUI offense approximately two years ago.
He is charged with knowingly operating a motor vehicle while revoked — causing the death of another — and hit-and-run resulting in death. If convicted of both charges and sentenced consecutively, Lay could serve a maximum of 31 years in prison and pay up to $110,000 in fines.
The complaint also states Lay could lose his driver’s license for at least five years under Wisconsin law and face other restrictions on operating motor vehicles.
During Lay's preliminary hearing on Wednesday, a Milwaukee Police officer testified that officers were in the area of 76th and Good Hope Road for a different matter when they heard the crash. People at the address registered to the vehicle involved said Lay should have had the car.
Keiairra's mother, Sheadrean Blanks, believes Lay only approached police because he was already connected to the car.
Blanks, who described Keiairra as a beautiful person who created original music, told TMJ4 that it was important for family to attend the hearing.
"He left my baby on the road like that. Who knows if he could've saved her life. He had already hit her and kept on going. We had to see the face of that person that took our baby from us. I had to see him I want to know what's going on, and I'll be here for every court date," Blanks said.
Lay did not have a valid driver's license at the time of the crash.
Keiairra's funeral is set for Saturday.
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