Sister of pedestrian struck and killed says she "lost her best friend"



MILWAUKEE (WITI) --  A Milwaukee woman was struck and killed by a vehicle around 5:20 a.m. Monday, February 24th near N. 35th and W. Highland Boulevard. The victim has been identified as 62-year-old Earlene Frazier. This is the second fatal incident involving a pedestrian struck by a vehicle on a Milwaukee street.

On Thursday morning, February 20th, a six-year-old boy was struck and killed near 41st and North, while he was on his way to school.

Police say in the incident Monday morning, Frazier was struck by a southbound vehicle after she ran westbound into traffic, in an attempt to cross N. 35th Street. She was apparently headed to work with her sister.

The driver of the vehicle, a 53-year-old Milwaukee man, remained at the scene following the accident and is cooperating with the investigation.

According to the Medical Examiner's report, the driver was traveling approximately 25 m.p.h at the time of the crash. The posted speed limit at N. 35th and W. Highland is 30 m.p.h.

Frazier's sister, Betty Frazier says she is heartbroken and distraught after witnessing her big sister die early Monday morning.

"I just hurt from the bottom of my heart. I lost my best friend. Every time I close my eyes, I see her going up in the air and that truck hit her. It hit her hard," Betty Frazier told FOX6 News.

Betty Frazier says she and her sister were on their way to work together, as they have for the past 15 years. They had just gotten off a bus, and were about to catch another when tragedy struck.

"I said 'well, you hold on. You stay right here and let me go see if this is our bus.' She had just stepped off the curb. He had to come this way because he hit her so hard she went right up in the air," Betty Frazier said.

The Medical Examiner's report indicates Betty crossed against a "Do Not Walk" sign. The report goes on to say that when Earlene started to follow her, the traffic light for north and southbound traffic had turned green, but Betty says she recalls the accident happening differently.

"We were in the crosswalk. I didn't see cars coming. He had to be coming the other way. He shouldn't have been doing so fast. She had on a white coat. You couldn't miss her," Betty Frazier said.

Earlene Frazier's stepdaughter Mindy Whiten says she's upset -- saying the striking driver showed no remorse to the family.

"I don't know how they didn't charge him. He killed somebody! The impact of that, he had to be going 35, maybe 45," Whiten said.

Betty Frazier says her sister will be dearly missed.

"She was a good person. She was a free-hearted person. She loved everybody," Betty Frazier said.

So far, the information in this case is coming from the Medical Examiner's report. Police say their investigation is ongoing.

As with all fatal crashes, the Milwaukee County District Attorney will review the investigation once it is complete.

The driver has not been cited.



Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.