A tragic incident unfolded in Milwaukee, as a 30-year-old man, Robert Jones, faced charges on Thursday following a fatal collision that occurred after he allegedly fled from police on the city's north side.
According to authorities, the sequence of events began when two Milwaukee police officers attempted to stop an Acura in the 2500 block of West Burleigh Street. The officers had observed the Acura traveling at a speed exceeding the limit. Despite initially complying with the stop, the Acura soon accelerated back into traffic at a high rate of speed, prompting the officers to terminate the pursuit.
Shortly afterward, the Acura collided with a Mazda at the intersection of West Burleigh and North 20th streets. Tragically, the collision resulted in the death of the driver of the Mazda.The victim, identified as 30-year-old Amari D. Smith, was attending cosmetology school with aspirations of becoming a barber.
In the aftermath of the collision, Jones, who was behind the wheel of the Acura, fled the scene on foot. He was later apprehended by law enforcement officials at Union Cemetery, where he surrendered and was subsequently taken into custody.
During the investigation, a semi-automatic firearm was discovered in the driver's seat of Jones' vehicle. It was revealed that Jones, a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing firearms.
In his statement to investigators, Jones admitted to driving the Acura, which belonged to his wife, at the time of the incident. He acknowledged fleeing from police out of fear of arrest due to an outstanding warrant and expressed concern about the impact it might have on his relationship with his wife. Jones denied ownership of the firearm found in the vehicle, claiming that he was returning it to a friend.
As a result of his actions, Jones now faces charges of operating a vehicle and fleeing police resulting in the death of another person, as well as possession of a firearm by a felon. If convicted on both counts, he could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison.
Meanwhile, family and friends mourn the loss of Amari Smith, described as a dedicated student pursuing his dreams of becoming a barber. His father, Anthony Smith, expressed shock and devastation over the tragic turn of events, describing his son as a compassionate individual who was loved by many.
The incident serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of reckless actions and the importance of responsible behavior on the road. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision as they work to bring justice to the victim and their family.