Police seeking community help in case of woman hit by car

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee police are looking for the community's help to find the driver responsible for striking and killing 58-year-old Annette Tomashaski as she crossed the street in the crosswalk at 32nd and Villard shortly before 6:00 p.m. January 18th.

Police say Tomashaski was hit by three vehicles, and two of them stopped at the scene. Now, they are looking for help locating the original vehicle that hit Tomashaski.

Police say Tomashaski was deaf, and the vehicle that struck her fled the scene. Police say the vehicle was likely a gray or tan 1992-1996 Buick LeSabre that may have front end damage or a broken windshield. Law enforcement is asking auto body shops to recall whether any vehicle matching this description may have come in over recent weeks.

Police were able to talk with two drivers who stopped at the scene back on January 18th. "There is debris from several different vehicles, and the limited statements that we do have, was she was hit by a car, and subsequently hit by other cars while she was possibly on the ground," Milwaukee Police Officer William Hanney said.

Officials say the woman lived in the area. The manager of JJ's Fish and Chicken on Villard says he knows the woman, and says she may have been walking toward his restaurant. "I looked through the window, and I saw something laying down. I noticed she was one of our customers to the store, and to the restaurant where I work. I'm very sad to see the loss of human life, like her," Joe Abutoin said.

The manager of JJ's Fish and Chicken says he feels there are problems with drivers speeding on the stretch of roadway. Police say their investigation is ongoing.

Police are calling for the suspect to turn themselves in. "Someone's family member was lying dead on the streets and I don't think anybody would appreciate that if their family member was subjected to the same thing, so put yourself in the shoes of that person and just do the right thing and come forward," Hanney said.

If you have any information that could assist police in this case, you're asked to call them at 414-935-7360.