Milwaukee fatal crash, 76th and Morgan; West Allis driver charged
Milwaukee fatal crash, West Allis driver charged
Prosecutors have charged a 21-year-old West Allis man with second-degree reckless homicide in connection with a deadly crash on Milwaukee’s south side that killed another driver earlier this month.
MILWAUKEE - Prosecutors have charged a 21-year-old West Allis man with second-degree reckless homicide in connection with a deadly crash on Milwaukee’s south side that killed another driver earlier this month.
Man charged
What we know:
The accused is Drake Wallis. He was charged with the following:
- Second-degree reckless homicide
- Knowingly operating a motor vehicle while suspended — causes death
Drake Wallis
He made his initial court appearance on Monday, Jan. 12. If convicted of both charges, Wallis faces more than 30 years in prison and more than $110,000 in fines.
Fatal crash
The backstory:
According to a criminal complaint, Wallis is accused of recklessly causing the death of D'Monte Owens during a crash on Wednesday, Jan. 7, near 76th and Morgan.
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Police say the crash happened just after 7:20 p.m. when Owens was attempting to make a left turn through a yellow traffic signal. Investigators allege Wallis was driving a black BMW southbound at a high rate of speed and entered the intersection after the light had turned red, striking Owens’ vehicle and sending it onto the sidewalk.
Milwaukee fatal crash near 76th and Morgan; driver taken into custody
One person is dead following a crash at 76th and Morgan in Milwaukee on Wednesday night, Jan. 7.
Owens was taken to Froedtert Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy found he died from multiple blunt-force injuries.
Vehicle data, dash video cited
Dig deeper:
A dash camera from a witness’ vehicle captured the crash, according to the complaint. Investigators also downloaded data from the BMW’s airbag control module, which they say showed the vehicle was traveling about 62 miles per hour at the start of the crash and that the brakes were not applied in the seconds leading up to impact.
Crash near 76th and Morgan, Milwaukee
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Police reported smelling freshly burned marijuana inside the BMW. A drug recognition expert noted signs of impairment, and Wallis’ blood was drawn for testing.
Results were still pending at the time the complaint was filed, and prosecutors said additional charges could be considered once testing is complete.
Crash near 76th and Morgan, Milwaukee
During a post-crash interview, investigators say Wallis acknowledged knowing his driver’s license was suspended and later admitted he had smoked marijuana earlier that day.
Records show Wallis has multiple prior speeding-related offenses, including a reckless driving citation in 2024.
The Source: Information in this report is from the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office and Wisconsin Circuit Court.