Prosecutors get 72-hour extension to gather evidence against suspect in fatal hit-and-run crash

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee County prosecutors were granted a 72-hour extension on Wednesday, Oct. 30 to hold 19-year-old Daetwan Robinson, a suspect in the fatal hit-and-run crash that happened at 22nd Street and Center Street Thursday, Oct. 24. Robinson is not charged in the case at this time -- and is presumed innocent.

Milwaukee police said "several persons of interest" were in custody after the hit-and-run crash.

Two girls, 4-year-old Amea Gee and 6-year-old Alisa Gee, died from injuries suffered in the crash at 22nd and Center. The girls' cousin, Drevyze Rayford, 10, was hurt in the crash.

Prosecutors told the court commissioner on Wednesday an extension was being requested due to three areas which the state said could help them accurately present charges in the case.

For starters, the 4-year-old girl died, the medical examiner confirmed on Tuesday night, Oct. 29 -- and prosecutors were awaiting the results of the autopsy on the child. Second, a cellphone service provider subpoena was filed related to information about Robinson's cellphone -- specifically geographic or GPS data. Prosecutors said in court Wednesday the information they anticipated getting from the cellphone provider would come within the next day or two. Lastly, prosecutors told the court commissioner they were searching computer records associated with Robinson's social media presence. The prosecutor indicated that social media presence was in excess of 52,000 pages. Three officers were analyzing the information.

Defense Attorney Jeff Schwarz objected to the 72-hour extension, saying he did not believe there was probable cause to hold Robinson.  Schwarz said Robinson could be released, the investigation could continue, and Robinson could be ordered back at a later time.

"We're dealing with a person with no criminal record, who's lived in Milwaukee most of his life," Schwarz said. "He finished high school and he's been working for the past six months."

In the end, the court commissioner granted the state's request for a 72-hour extension.

"It does appear to be efforts that are alleged that Mr. Robinson tried to avoid detection, I guess, for lack of a better word, by painting the car and hiding the vehicle to a certain extent," Court Commissioner Rosa Barillas said.

Bail was set at $750,000 for Robinson.

Milwaukee police released this statement on Wednesday:

Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales himself spoke out about the incident during a community conversation Wednesday night at Marquette University Law School.

"I will tell you that we have seen success, but I'm not going to boast it after what we've seen last week," said Chief Morales of the efforts to combat reckless driving in Milwaukee. "Three young children, walking home from a playground. That tragic incident happened while they were crossing the street. You won't forget the image."

Chief Morales continued to stress the effort to snuff out reckless driving through education and enforcement.

"If we can't get the message out to the public, we're missing the bullet," said Chief Morales.

Meanwhile, funeral arrangements were set for Alisa and Amea Gee. A visitation was scheduled for Monday, Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. at Jerusalem MBC at 2505 W. Cornell Street in Milwaukee -- with a funeral scheduled for noon.

Background in this case

The three children were walking home Thursday evening when a driver ran a red light at 22nd and Center and struck all three children before driving away. The medical examiner's report revealed there was at least one adult with the group.

On Friday, Oct. 25, police confirmed a vehicle was recovered, and several persons of interest were in custody.

On Sunday, Oct. 27, we heard from the mother of Alisa and Amea for the first time -- overwhelmed with emotion, grateful for the community's support, devastated for her daughters, and angry with the driver responsible for this.

"I just can't believe I am standing here," said Destiny Foster. "What was you all doing? Did you all not see these kids? You hit three kids and killed."

On Friday, the day after the crash, the City-County Carjacking and Reckless Driving Task Force released a 30-page report focused on a three-pronged approach to combating reckless driving: Engineering Solutions, Accountability and Enforcement, and Prevention and Education. It included more than 20 recommendations -- adding speedbumps and roundabouts, exploring the possibility of red-light cameras, and increasing awareness are among them. This, as FOX6's cameras captured reckless drivers at the very same intersection, not even 24 hours later.

Two days after the crash, on Saturday, Oct. 26, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Milwaukee aldermen gathered at the scene to discuss the reckless driving "epidemic" in Milwaukee. On Friday, all Council members sent a signed letter to Governor Tony Evers, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, state Assembly and Senate Leaders and members of the Milwaukee state delegation requesting immediate state resources to help combat reckless driving in the city.

Alderman Bob Donovan outlined a four-step plan to combat reckless driving -- introducing legislation allocating money to the Milwaukee Police Department for overtime on traffic enforcement and legislation restoring 30 police officer positions designed for traffic enforcement.

City leaders said they also hoped to fund an expansion of Take It EZ Milwaukee, an anti-reckless driving pilot program.

This GoFundMe.com account was set up in Alisa and Amea Gee's honor.

This GoFundMe.com account was set up for 10-year-old Drevyze Rayford.