Man arrested in connection with double fatal crash near 39th & Hadley

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee police have arrested an 18-year-old man in connection with the double fatal crash that occurred on Friday, May 27th near 39th and Hadley on the city's north side. MPD will present this case to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office in the coming days for charges.

Police say the suspect was speeding in a stolen SUV when he blew a stop sign and plowed into a car carrying three adults and four children. Two of those victims have since died. They are 46-year-old Danielle Triggs and eight-year-old Taeshawn Griffin, Triggs' grandson.

Taeshawn Griffin and Danielle Triggs

Much of the candle wax has melted, but the balloons are still inflated at the intersection where this tragedy unfolded.

"I've been sitting in a chair watching the news saying, 'Man, I'm sorry for that family.' Now I'm in that seat of being the family," said Laurice Triggs, whose sister and nephew died in the wreck.

Triggs told FOX6 News her family members were on their way to see a movie when the collision happened.

"Taeshawn was such a smart, loving, fun kid. He shared love to anybody that would show love to him. His favorite thing was to go to the movie on movie dates," Triggs said.

Fatal crash at 39th and Hadley

The SUV that struck the Triggs family had been reported stolen from Racine in April. A cell phone picture captured one of the suspects.

A search warrant filed on Wednesday, June 1st shows another cell phone may have provided valuable information. Police wanted to look through a phone left in the "rear, driver's side floor area."

"Why should we be surprised they repeat the behavior?" asked Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn on Thursday.

The chief and Mayor Tom Barrett are demanding stricter punishment for young car thieves.

According to Milwaukee Police Department data, juvenile auto theft arrests as of May 2016 have increased from 60 in 2013 to 253 this year. Juvenile carjacking arrests went from zero in 2013 to 52 so far this year.

Police tell FOX6 News they are working to positively identify the second suspect in that stolen SUV. The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office did not respond to our requests for comment.