Fatal Milwaukee crash involving MCTS bus; 29-year-old man accused
MILWAUKEE - A 29-year-old Milwaukee man is accused of causing a collision with a Milwaukee County bus that led to a person's death and injuries to several others. The accused is Danny Romero – and he faces the following criminal counts:
- Second-degree reckless homicide
- Knowingly operate motor vehicle while suspect-cause death
- Second-degree reckless injury (two counts)
- Knowing operate motor vehicle while suspected-cause great bodily harm (two counts)
- Second-degree recklessly endangering safety (four counts)
- Misdemeanor bail jumping
Danny Romero initial appearance in Milwaukee County court
According to the criminal complaint, police were dispatched to a crash involving a Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) bus at 35th and Wisconsin on Saturday, April 20. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a gray SUV with significant damage -- the vehicle was listed as stolen.
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The complaint says the driver of the SUV was pinned in the driver's seat -- and identified himself to police as the defendant. He was eventually extricated from the SUV -- and taken to a hospital for treatment. Two passengers from the SUV were taken to a hospital with critical injuries – one later died. That person was identified as Michael Captain.
The scene near 35th and Wisconsin, with the damaged bus
Investigators determined the SUV "drove directly into the side of a Milwaukee County Transit Bus," the complaint says. It happened at the intersection of 35th and Wisconsin which is controlled by a traffic light. Officials noted the "damage is consistent with a high speed impact," the complaint says.
Investigators also reviewed MPD traffic camera footage -- which shots the SUV "disregard the red light at 35th and Wells and then also disregards the light at 35th and Wisconsin. As the (SUV) enters the intersection, at a high rate of speed, the driver appears to lose control of the vehicle" and collides with the bus.
The damaged vehicle
There were multiple people on the bus -- several who were hurt in the wreck.
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In an interview with police, the defendant "admitted that he has never had a driver's license. He also admitted that he had previously been given a ticket for not having a license and that he had received a letter stating that his license privileges were suspended," the complaint says.
Reckless driving crashes involving MCTS buses, costs add up
Reckless driving is taking a toll on the Milwaukee County Transit System, so much so that routes could be impacted if something does not change.
Romero made his initial appearance in Milwaukee County court on Monday, April 29. Cash bond was set at $100,000.