LATEST: Michael Hobbs charged in connection with fatal wreck, was driving 78 m.p.h. prior to crash
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office charged 18-year-old Michael Hobbs on Thursday, February 26th with multiple criminal counts in connection with a fatal crash that happened near 84th and Wilbur on Sunday, February 22nd.
Hobbs is charged with the following: two (2) counts of second-degree reckless homicide, two (2) counts of hit-and-run resulting in death and one (1) count of operating a motor vehicle without the owner's consent.
Hobbs made his initial appearance in court on Thursday. He has pleaded not guilty.
According to the criminal complaint, Hobbs admitted to stealing an SUV from an alley near 33rd and National in Milwaukee. The vehicle had been reported stolen on February 19th.
On Sunday, February 22nd, Hobbs said he and a group of people "stopped at Walmart and smoked marijuana before proceeding to 89th and Wilbur to pick up a friend." Hobbs indicated that Wilbur "looked like a speed spot and he started speeding for fun. When he approached 84th Street, one of the passengers noted that 84th Street was busy so he slowed down."
After picking up a friend, the complaint says Hobbs drove the SUV back towards 84th Street and sped up again. Data from the vehicle's airbag control module says the SUV reached a speed of 78 miles-per-hour before Hobbs went through the intersection of 84th and Wilbur without stopping -- and slammed into another car. 74-year-old Bernard Hanson and 64-year-old Mary Hanson were inside that vehicle. They died at the scene of the crash.
Hobbs told police he remembers hitting a red car, and then climbing out the window. He then took off running, according to the complaint.
Fatal collision at 84th and Wilbur in Milwaukee
Everyone else in the SUV also fled the scene of the wreck -- but they were quickly apprehended. The complaint indicates Hobbs fled from the scene in an accompanying car. A witness noted the license plate of that vehicle and gave it to police. Milwaukee police officers quickly found the driver of that car who led them to Hobbs.
Hobbs is being held on $100,000 cash bond.
"I do think although high cash, that is a reasonable amount given the information I have. Most notably of course there's the very disturbing information in the criminal complaint," the court commissioner said Thursday.
FOX6 News has learned this isn't the first time Hobbs has been in trouble for allegedly stealing a vehicle. In fact, at the beginning of the year, he was found guilty for taking a vehicle without consent and disorderly conduct. He was sentenced to serve nine months in prison, but that sentence was stayed and he was placed on probation for a year.
In February, court documents say he stole again. He was charged with operating a vehicle without consent, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation records, Hobbs was never issued a driver's license.
Hobbs is the only person criminally charged in this case at this time.
Related stories: