Man charged after hit-and-run that killed 2 told investigators he "thought he saw a gun"
MILWAUKEE -- Charges have been filed in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed two people near 39th and Hopkins on May 27th.
The accused is 18-year-old Marvin Anthony. He is facing the following charges:
Eight-year-old Taeshawn Griffin and his grandmother, 46-year-old Danielle Triggs were killed in the crash.
Taeshawn Griffin and Danielle Triggs
According to a criminal complaint, investigators learned an Audi had been headed westbound on Hadley at a high rate of speed -- failing to stop at the stop sign at 39th Street.
The Audi collided with the passenger side of another vehicle that was headed north on 39th.
The vehicle that was struck then rotated, headed northwest and left the roadway before colliding with the concrete steps of a home on 39th. Triggs and four children were ejected from the rear seat of the vehicle.
Fatal crash at 39th and Hadley
Investigators received a call from an anonymous caller indicating two people fled the scene on foot from the suspect vehicle -- before returning to retrieve something -- before fleeing again, heading towards Sherman Park.
Danielle Triggs was pronounced dead at the scene.
Taeshawn Griffin passed away on May 29th.
The three other children that were ejected were hurt, along with two other victims who were passengers in the vehicle that was struck.
Fatal crash at 39th and Hadley
A witness to the crash told investigators she saw the striking Audi prior to the crash, and said it was traveling so fast, "she would have missed it if she blinked."
The complaint indicates two latent fingerprints were recovered from the suspect vehicle -- and both matched the fingerprints of Marvin Anthony.
Investigators were able to take a look at video shot by witnesses, along with video from Pulaski High School prior to the crash. The video from Pulaski High School showed Anthony stopping at the school -- exiting the driver's side of the Audi.
Fatal crash at 39th and Hadley
When Anthony was shown these videos, the complaint states he admitted he was the driver of the suspect vehicle -- and the person seen exiting the vehicle following the crash. Anthony stated that he had rented the vehicle for approximately $450 for a few days from a friend.
Anthony told investigators he wasn't feeling well on May 27th, but said his mother encouraged him to go to school, so he arrived at Pulaski High School around 11:00 a.m. and left sometime between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. He then stated that he picked up a friend on W. Howard, and they drove around Milwaukee -- eventually reaching the area of 34th and Hadley.
Fatal crash at 39th and Hadley
Anthony said another car pulled up, and he "thought he saw a gun," so he sped off at a high rate of speed, and then the crash happened.
After the crash, Anthony said he was dazed, and couldn't find his phone. He said he ran from the car, but went back to grab his phone. The complaint indicates Anthony told investigators he called a friend.
The complaint says Anthony did not have a valid driver's license at the time of this crash. Anthony told investigators at one point, he had a valid learner's permit, but he stated he has never had a valid license.
Fatal crash at 39th and Hadley
The complaint notes that DOT records show that in February of 2016, Anthony was cited for operating while suspended. He also had suspensions for failing to pay fines out of Milwaukee County.
Anthony told investigators "he is sorry," and that "his heart goes out to the family."
He stated that he did not see the victims' car, nor the stop sign.
