MPD dispatcher killed in crash near 51st and Vienna in Milwaukee, driver sought

MILWAUKEE -- A Milwaukee woman, 62, who served as a Milwaukee Police Department dispatcher for more than 30 years, under seven different police chiefs, was killed by a reckless driver in a crash early Monday, March 16.

It happened around 12:30 a.m. near 51st Street and Fond du Lac Avenue.

Police said officers spotted a driver who disregarded a red light. Officers conducted a traffic stop, however, the driver fled from the traffic stop and led officers on a brief pursuit. Police are still looking for the driver that fled the scene, Chief Morales said in a news conference Monday afternoon.

Approximately one minute after the pursuit began, officers lost sight of the vehicle and turned off their emergency lights and sirens.

Shortly thereafter, officers came upon the crash at 51st Street and Vienna Street. The fleeing driver crashed into an occupied vehicle that was traveling on 51st Street.

The woman driving that vehicle died as a result of injuries suffered in the crash. She was employed as an emergency communications operator with the Milwaukee Police Department for more than 32 years.

A passenger from the striking vehicle was taken into custody -- but the driver was being sought by police in the wake of the crash.

Anyone with information was asked to call Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or Milwaukee Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS.