Milwaukee fatal crash, 76th and Morgan; West Allis driver charged

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

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 29-year-old 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.

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.

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.

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. 

Wife speaks out

What they're saying:

Loved ones say Owens’ life was cut short just days before his 30th birthday.

"The way the accident happened, he didn’t even see it coming," said Owens’ wife, Mikayla. "To happen so close to home, the route you take every day. I can’t even – I haven’t driven since."

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The couple were newlyweds.

"He took the best thing from me and my daughter. She’s going to grow up without a dad," Mikayla said of her daughter.

Prior offenses

Dig deeper:

Investigators say this was not the first time Wallis has been accused of driving dangerously. Two years ago, Milwaukee County sheriff’s deputies say Wallis sped past them on I-43, with a deputy reaching speeds of 119 miles per hour while trying to catch him.

WisDOT tower camera footage shows Wallis eventually totaled his vehicle before a deputy arrested him. In that case, Wallis received citations.

"I feel like it could’ve been prevented," Mikayla said. "The fact that you were even given the opportunity to be back out there in the community."

Support for the family

What you can do:

A Meal Train has been set up to support the family.