Local News
Car Crashes Into Parade In Waukesha, Killing 5; Suspect With Long History In Custody
A red mini SUV sped through the middle of a Holiday Parade in Waukesha Sunday, killing at least 5 people and injuring at least 40 people including children ages 3-16.
10 of the injured children were sent to the Pediatric ICU at Childrens Hospital Wisconsin. Six of the patients are in critical condition.
The incident occurred just before 4:40 p.m. Sunday evening (11/21/2021).
The parade was being held in downtown Waukesha, and as parade participants made their way down the route, the red Ford SUV, being driven by a male, proceeded through the street, running over spectators.
City of Waukesha cameras located on Main St. show the SUV speeding into the parade just behind a high school marching band.
Police say the person arrested was Darrell Edward Brooks, Jr., who had been released from jail two days ago on bond. Police have said they believed Brooks acted alone, but still have no motive behind the actions.
Local officials put the call in for additional medical vehicles from outside the City of Waukesha, as the city had exhausted their inventory of ambulances.
Children’s Wisconsin Milwaukee held a press conference Monday morning, and stated that 18 children were treated as a result of injuries received in the parade incident.
At a press conference Monday afternoon, the names of those killed in the melee were made public:
Virginia Sorenson, 78 year old female
LeAnna Owen, 71 year old female
Tamara Durand, 52 year old female
Jane Kulich, 52 year old female
Wilhelm Hospel, 81 year old male
The abandoned SUV was located shortly after the incident in a driveway, with a bullet hole in the windshield, but there was no evidence that anyone in the vehicle had been hit.
It was confirmed by Waukesha PD that an officer did discharge his weapon in an attempt to stop the vehicle.
Waukesha Public Schools were closed Monday and Tuesday, and residents and bystanders were being asked to stay away from the scene. Residents were also being asked to stay inside until the accident scene was cleared Monday afternoon.
KFIZ News will update this story as the details are released.