21-second Milwaukee police chase, crash; men charged
Youantis Wright; Demarione Jones
MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee police chase that lasted less than 30 seconds earlier this month has led to charges against two men.
Prosecutors identified the driver as 19-year-old Youantis Wright and a passenger as 18-year-old Demarione Jones. Both men are charged with multiple felonies in the case.
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Police were on patrol in the area of 51st and Capitol when, around 9 p.m. that night, an officer spotted a black Chevrolet speeding. A criminal complaint states the officer began to follow the Chevrolet, which also had "excessive aftermarket window tint," at which point the Chevrolet's headlights and taillights went out. The vehicle then ran a stop at 49th and Congress and began to speed up.
Prosecutors said the officer then activated his squad lights and sirens near 50th and Congress in an attempt to pull the vehicle over, but it continued to speed away – reaching speeds greater than 80 mph in the 25 mph zone.
Police chase ends with crash at Sherman and Congress (Courtesy: MCDAO)
The chase lasted 21 seconds and roughly 2,400 feet, according to court filings. It ended when the Chevrolet ran a stop sign with its lights off and crashed into a white Nissan at Sherman and Congress. When the two vehicles collided, they then hit a black Toyota.
When the officer approached the wreck, the complaint states Wright and Jones began to open their doors. They both ran off but were taken into custody nearby. A search of the Chevrolet uncovered multiple bags of marijuana, a digital scale, empty plastic bags and a gun.
The driver of the Nissan was taken to a hospital with broken vertebrae.
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Court records show Wright is being held in the Milwaukee County Jail on $50,000 bond. In all, he is charged with:
- Vehicle operator fleeing/eluding an officer – resulting in great bodily harm
- Vehicle operator fleeing/eluding an officer – causing damage to property
- First-degree reckless injury
- First-degree recklessly endangering safety
- Hit-and-run – involving great bodily harm
- Possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent
- Possession with intent to deliver THC
- Felony bail jumping (two counts)
- Misdemeanor obstructing an officer
Jones is being held in the jail on $5,000 bond, according to court records. He is charged with possession with intent to deliver THC, possession of a firearm by a felon and misdemeanor obstructing an officer.