Pedestrian struck, killed near Farwell & Irving on city's east side



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A tip from a citizen resulted in the arrest of a 48-year-old suspect in Sunday night's fatal hit-and-run accident that occurred near N. Farwell Avenue and E. Irving Pl. on the city’s east side. Police have identified the victim as 32-year-old Andrea Barringer.

According to authorities, Barringer was struck and killed by an SUV while crossing the street with friends at the northwest corner of N. Farwell Ave and E. Irving Pl. around 8:30 p.m.

That SUV was recovered by police on Monday.

According to officials, Barringer was attempting to beat traffic, and ran across the street.

Police say she was struck as she entered an unmarked crosswalk, carrying a box of cupcakes after leaving Comet Cafe.

FOX6 News has learned Barringer was an art therapy student in grad school at Mount Mary College, and had recently gotten engaged.

"She was really well-liked by all the students and really appreciated and I could always count on her to push beyond what I expected and to make me a better teacher," Barringer's art therapy professor Chris Belkofer said.

Following the incident, the suspect vehicle fled the scene at a high rate of speed, but was later located by officials after they received a call from a citizen.

Barbara Sanderson, who lives in the area, says she feared something like this would happen.

"Especially here on Farwell Avenue, you’re almost afraid to cross the street with the way people drive around here," Sanderson says.

Belkofer says Barringer was with a group of art therapy classmates when the incident occurred Sunday night.

The driver is being held and the incident will be reviewed for charges by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.