"People take off and leave you to die:" Police say driver in fatal hit-and-run crash was likely drunk

MILWAUKEE (WITI ) -- Milwaukee police are investigating a hit-and-run crash that killed 63-year-old Alfredo De La O on the city's south side early Sunday, November 23rd -- and police believe the driver of the striking vehicle was likely drunk.

The crash happened around 12:30 a.m. at S. Cesar Chavez and Mineral. The victim had been crossing the street at the intersection.

Police say the driver of the vehicle did not stop, but witness descriptions led to officers locating the vehicle, last seen headed southbound on S. Cesar Chavez. A short time later, officers located the driver of the vehicle, a 49-year-old man.

Officials say the driver appeared to have been intoxicated by alcohol and was taken into custody.

Incidents like this have happened in the area before.

"It's the same thing. It's all over again -- repeating itself all over again. People take off and leave you there to die. That is just bad. Wrong," Marisela Guajardo, who works at nearby City Furniture said.

Guajardo says her brother was killed by a hit-and-run driver. New Year's Day will mark the anniversary of that wreck -- near 32nd and Greenfield.

Guajardo says the driver who hit her brother was also intoxicated.

Meanwhile, employees at the El Rey Supermarket were instantly reminded of six-year-old Raul Espinosa. Police say the boy with autism wandered out of his home in May while his mother was in the shower. That incident occurred in the same intersection.

"It was kind of a surprise to a lot of people here. We have a lot of people around here -- kids, parents going out. We gotta be careful," an El Rey employee said.

Milwaukee police have not released the name of the driver in this case.