Driver dies after fleeing traffic stop, crashing into tree near 59th and Locust



Man dies after crashing into tree near 59th and Locust



MILWAUKEE -- A man is dead after police say he sped off following a traffic stop and slammed into a tree near 59th and Locust. It happened shortly after 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 16th.

"It was so quick," said Aracelis Negron, witness. "The car was twisted."

Negron was inside her home with family at the time. She heard a loud boom and ran out to the crash scene in front of her home.

"When I looked outside and I saw the car, my heart just stopped," said Negron.

Police say they pulled over a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Phillip Daniels near 58th and Appleton Avenue, but when officers walked toward the Chevy Impala, the driver sped off northbound.

Police say they did not pursue the vehicle.

Daniels lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a tree a few blocks away. According to the medical examiner's report, officers noted it was possible the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and lost control on the wet pavement, as roads were slick due to melting snow and the temperature was just above freezing. The speed limit in the area is 25 miles-per-hour.

Man dies after crashing into tree near 59th and Locust



Man dies after crashing into tree near 59th and Locust





Man dies after crashing into tree near 59th and Locust



Neighbors watched as first responders arrived.

"Right when I got here, they were trying to get everyone out of the car," said Joshua Lapp, neighbor.

The driver died on the scene. A female passenger was seriously injured.

Lapp's lawn was covered in wreckage.

"I had glass in the front yard, debris, bumpers," Lapp said.

After hearing what happened, neighbors said they're upset but not surprised.

"You have to learn at some point your life is not worth running from the police," said Michael Sledge, neighbor.

They said they're thankful no one else was hurt, and hope this serves as a wake-up call.

Man dies after crashing into tree near 59th and Locust



"It's just senseless, unnecessary," said Sledge.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

Man dies after crashing into tree near 59th and Locust