Wauwatosa fatal crash, DPW driver's family suspects medical emergency

MILWAUKEE - Family and friends gathered Thursday night to remember Denise Durrah, 64, the Milwaukee DPW worker who died in the fiery 10-car crash in Wauwatosa Tuesday, Dec. 13.

Durrah and two others died in the crash. Family suspects Durrah suffered a medical emergency, causing her to lose control of the DPW truck. Police said they don't believe the crash was intentional.

The family of the DPW driver said they are praying for everyone impacted by this crash.

"We are all grieving, one way or the other," said Estelle Cockroft, a family friend of Durrah's.

Denise Durrah

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Police said Durrah was driving a Milwaukee Department of Public Works truck that crashed into several stopped cars on Mayfair Road at Wisconsin Avenue. Loved ones say she lost control.

"We do know the fact that nothing else would have caused her to do that but a medical emergency," Cockroft said.

Cockroft told FOX6 that Durrah had previous medical issues. Wauwatosa police said they are waiting on the medical examiner's report of what exactly caused the crash but said it was not intentional.

"We know, the Denise that we know – no drugs, no alcohol. Just Denise," said Cockroft. "A medical emergency, and unfortunately, not only did we lose somebody, other families were impacted."

Denise Durrah

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The Milwaukee DPW said Durrah had a valid driver's license. She worked for the DPW filling potholes. Co-workers FOX6 spoke with called her an inspiration.

"I just try to focus on the happiness that we’ve all seen," said Veneasha Youngblack-Campbell. "She was willing to learn and willing to work and willing to try different things."

Denise Durrah; Wauwatosa crash at Mayfair and Wisconsin

Officials previously identified the other deceased victims as 85-year-old Paul Woida of Milwaukee and 40-year-old Amy Miller of Cedarburg.

"We will keep him and all the families of the other victims in our prayers and thoughts at Blessed Sacrament," said Gar Kronhelm, an usher with Blessed Sacrament Parish where Woida was also an usher. "We are going to miss him dearly. He gave us a lot of support here at the 9 a.m. ushering team, and he’s going to be hard to be replaced."

FOX6 reached out to Amy Miller's family. They declined to comment.