Man pleads guilty in hit-and-run that left mother of twins in medically-induced coma

Sheldon Bryant



MILWAUKEE -- A man charged in connection with a hit-and-run that left a mother of infant twins severely injured pleaded guilty in the case against him Wednesday, June 5.

Sheldon Bryant, 37, of Milwaukee, entered the plea to one count of hit-and-run involving great bodily harm and one count of knowingly operating while revoked, causing great bodily harm. A third charge was dismissed as a result of the plea deal.

Bryant will be sentenced on July 22.

Online court records showed Bryant has an open case from August 2017, in which he was charged with misdemeanor bail jumping. A bench warrant was issued in June 2018.

Online court records showed a history of convictions, dating back to 2002.

The crash happened on Dec. 6, 2017 near 12th and Walnut. Prosecutors said Bryant's vehicle struck three others as he tried to flee the scene after a fender bender -- and there was a 2-year-old child in his vehicle at the time.

While the 2-year-old child was OK after this incident, prosecutors said the twins' mother, Katanna Williams, was in a fight for her life. FOX6 News spoke with her mother as she cared for her 3-month-old grandchildren.

"I just miss her presence here. I miss everything about her at this point in time," said Tawanna Smith.

Tawanna Smith



Katanna Williams



    The criminal complaint stated a witness stopped in traffic behind the crash exited his vehicle to help. He told investigators when approaching the Malibu, he could see a fire underneath and advised Bryant to get out. Bryant passed a child to the witness, and then crawled out an open window. The witness told investigators Bryant seemed to be "in a rush," and after handing the small child back to him, he ran off on foot -- abandoning the vehicle and never checking on any of the other vehicles involved.

    Katanna Williams



    The crash left Katanna Williams -- the driver of the Hyundai -- in a medically-induced coma. The 22-year-old had just moved to Milwaukee from Chicago with her infant twin boys in November 2017. She was on her way to drop off a job application at the time of the crash.

    "You just don't have words," said Tawanna Smith. "It's just reckless. You feel helpless because there's no way you can help your child."



    Katanna Williams



    Officials located the owner of the Malibu, who told investigators her boyfriend -- identified as Bryant -- was driving her vehicle at the time of the crash. She stated Bryant dropped her off at work at 11:00 a.m., and had her 2-year-old daughter with him. The woman told investigators Bryant called her following the crash, stating he had fled the scene of the crash and went to his mother's house.

    "You hurt my baby and she's laying up in the hospital, but you endangered a child as well," Tawanna Smith said.

    Bryant was taken into custody on Dec. 12, 2017. He told investigators prior to the crash he was being "chased by another motorist," and fled the area because "he had been shot in the past." Bryant stated he was unable to stop the vehicle as he approached the intersection of 12th and Walnut, but believed he struck a pole. Bryant said it was wrong for him to have left the scene without reporting the crash.

    "All I know is, he's changed my life forever, and I do believe he'll be held accountable for it," Smith said.

    One of Katanna Williams twins