"It's just a terrible thing:" 100 gather to remember innocent driver killed in horrific crash

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Family members, friends and strangers gathered Thursday, April 30th near 53rd and Center to remember Edward Adams -- killed in a crash as a robbery suspect was fleeing from a crime scene earlier this week.

On Tuesday, April 28th, 54-year-old Adams lost his life when his vehicle was struck by that of a suspect who was fleeing the scene after a robbery that occurred in the parking lot of the US Bank branch at 52nd and North Ave.

Around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, police were called to a report of an armed robbery at the US Bank. A 25-year-old Milwaukee man reported to a teller that he was being robbed by an armed suspect in the parking lot.

Police say the suspect then fled from the robbery in a car headed northbound on 53rd Street. When he reached Center Street, police say he crashed into a westbound vehicle driven by Adams after failing to stop at a stop sign. Adams' vehicle careened into a building. Adams died at the scene of the crash.

He was the sole occupant of his vehicle.

53rd and Center crash

A Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's report says the suspect vehicle had to have been traveling at a speed of at least 60 miles-per-hour at the time of the crash.

Adams' family told the Medical Examiner's Office Adams was going to get something to eat for lunch when he was killed in the crash. He was scheduled to work at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center Tuesday night.

The suspect dropped a loaded semi-automatic handgun as he ran from the car -- and failed in an attempt to get into the car of a passerby. The suspect, identified as a 22-year-old Milwaukee man, then ran into a nearby apartment building where he was arrested by responding officers.

About 100 people gathered Thursday for a vigil. FOX6 News spoke with Adams' brothers, who say it's still hard to believe he's gone.

"We're having a hard time. This is for my brother. He was killed here, of course, in a car crash. It's just...just a terrible thing. We're mourning the loss and we just miss our brother so much, man. He's a good guy," Vincent and Marcus Adams said.

Charges are expected to be filed against the robbery suspect soon.

53rd & Center crash