17-year-old charged after younger brother killed in crash near 37th and Sheridan

Laron Ball



MILWAUKEE -- A 17-year-old boy has been criminally charged in connection with a fatal crash that happened near 37th and Sheridan in Milwaukee on Tuesday, Feb. 5. His 16-year-old brother, who was a passenger in the vehicle, died at the scene after their vehicle disregarded a stop sign and collided with a school bus.

Laron Ball, 17,  is facing the following charges:


    According to the criminal complaint, officers were dispatched to the area of 37th and Sheridan on Feb. 5 for a fatal crash. Upon arrival, officers observed a blue Toyota and a school bus -- both appeared to have impacted each other and suffered "disabling damage" from the crash.

    Fatal crash at 37th and Sheridan



    The 16-year-old victim was located in the roadway near the passenger side of the Toyota. An autopsy revealed the cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries.

    According to the criminal complaint, a witness on scene told police she observed the Toyota drive past her at a high rate of speed, disregard a posted stop sign, and strike a school bus. The witness says the Toyota then spun around and struck a tree. The witness stated that she then observed the driver of the Toyota, later identified as Laron Ball, go behind a residence on 37th Street -- and then return to the vehicle.

    The complaint indicates Ball admitted to driving approximately 40 to 50 miles per hour -- which is 15 to 25 miles per hour over the speed limit. Ball told police he attempted to stop at the stop sign, but stated that his vehicle slid through the stop sign and collided with a school bus.

    Fatal crash at 37th and Sheridan



    Fatal crash at 37th and Sheridan



    During an interview with investigators,  Ball admitted to being in an argument with his girlfriend's cousin before the crash, driving in excess of the speed limit and hiding a firearm behind a residence after the crash.  Police recovered a black Smith and Wesson SD40 semi-automatic handgun lying in the snow in a nearby backyard.

    The complaint further indicates that Ball had never been issued a Wisconsin Driver's License and that his operating privileges had been revoked on May 20, 2015 for using a vehicle in the commission of a felony.