Arrested: Driver of striking vehicle could soon be charged after fiery, fatal crash



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A 19-year-old man was killed in a traffic accident in the 2400 block of W. Fairmount Avenue early Saturday morning, June 21st.

The deceased, whom police identify as Julian Hicks,  was the lone occupant of a vehicle struck broadside by another vehicle while entering an alley around 1:15 a.m.

A FOX6 viewer captured the crash as it unfolded.

In the video someone yells,"Somebody in there bro, pull him out dog!"

A Milwaukee police detective, the first unit on the scene, sustained minor injuries while attempting to rescue Hicks from his burning vehicle. Unfortunately, the detective's heroic attempts weren't enough to save Hicks' life.

"Never seen nothing like that in my life. It was something like in a scary movie," eyewitness Tyrone Lee said.

Hicks' mother says her son was visiting a friend at Mount Mary College the night before, and he was nearly home when the accident happened.

The driver of the striking vehicle remained on scene following the accident. Authorities say speed appears to be a factor in the crash.

"The striking vehicle was traveling fast and I do know that the officers at the scene did suspect that he was under the influence of at least alcohol," MPD Deputy Inspector Terrence Gordon said.

The detective was treated at the scene by members of the fire department.

District 7 officers, investigators, and the Crash Reconstruction Unit remained on scene for several hours after the crash.

"The first responders did an excellent job responding to the scene. They tried their best to get the guy out of the car, but the flames and the heat was so intense at the time, but they was doing the best they can," Lee said.

A witness says the flames reached close to ten feet in the air. He says neighbors came out to watch as first responders tried to save Hicks.

Hicks' mom says she came outside to see the crash and didn't recognize her car in the flames. It wasn't until she returned home that she got a phone call telling her it was her son who had died.

Police say the driver of the striking vehicle, a 47-year-old Milwaukee man was arrested at the scene for homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle.

The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office is reviewing the case for possible charges.

Hicks' mother says her son was an honor roll student who had just been accepted to Columbia College in Chicago, where he planned to study classical music.