Man Fled Police In Stolen Car, Killed Other Driver In Crash: Cops

MILWAUKEE, WI — One man is dead and another has been charged after police say the driver of a stolen vehicle fled Milwaukee police, and crashed into another vehicle, killing its driver.

On Thursday morning, police identified the driver of the stolen vehicle as Aaron Fitzgerald, a 20-year-old Milwaukee man. He's been charged with second-degree reckless homicide, fleeing an officer and driving a stolen vehicle without a valid license - causing death.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Milwaukee County, Milwaukee police officers were on patrol on the city's north side during the early-morning hours of Aug. 1 when they saw the driver of a Buick Encore run a red stop sign at the intersection of N. Sherman Blvd. and W. Hampton Ave.

Police say they ran the vehicle's plates and learned it had been stolen about a month earlier. Police attempted to stop the driver of the Buick, later identified as Fitzgerald, however he fled officers.

According to the criminal complaint, Fitzgerald fled officers through the city's north side, reaching 80 miles per hours on residential streets. Police say Fitzgerald stopped the car for a short time to let two women get out of the car before resuming his flight from officers.

Police say Fitzgerald failed to stop for a flashing red light at the intersection of N. 12th Street and W. Locust St. and struck a 2018 Jeep Renegade.

Police said Fitzgerald's stolen car burst into flames, and that the Jeep was struck with such force that it traveled a half-block south due to the force of the impact.

The Milwaukee Fire Department responded to the scene and extricated Fitzgerald from the burning Buick. Fitzgerald was transported from the scene to Froedtert Hospital where he was treated for serious injuries.

The driver of the Jeep, identified as Lequon McCoy, suffered severe head trauma and was pronounced deceased at the scene, authorities say.

When authorities questioned Fitzgerald, he admitted he has never had a valid driver's license. He told police that he fled from the traffic stop because the Buick was not his car, and he knew it was stolen.

According to the criminal complaint, Fitzgerald told investigators that he was driving the stolen vehicle because he was tired of walking and wanted to impress women.