Brother charged in deadly crash outside Leon's Frozen Custard that left 22-year-old woman dead
Updated: 5:33 p.m. on Dec. 18, 2023
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee man has been charged in connection to a car crash that killed a 22-year-old woman outside of a Milwaukee landmark late last week.
The family of that woman is speaking out for the first time, to CBS 58 News.
The family asked for the man charged in connection to the women's death to be released from jail, saying the crash was an accident.
A memorial can be seen outside of Leon's Frozen Custard, where Sierra Hill died following the tragic car crash.
The family of Hill said the man driving the car was her brother, Jered Corn. They said he would never put his sister in harm's way.
"He would never intentionally hurt her, they were best friends," said Marissa Hill, the older sister of Sierra Hill.
Marissa said Hill and Corn were the best of friends.
"It's very hard on everybody, and -- and it does not help when we are trying to grieve for my sister, and now we have to fight for my brother as well," said Hill.
According to police, Corn was speeding south on 27th Street and ran through a red light, hitting a car which was heading east on Oklahoma Avenue.
The impact of the crash caused Corn's car to flip several times down 27th Street.
Police said Corn and Hill were the only people in his car.
Hill was pronounced dead on the scene.
Corn was listed in critical condition and taken to Froedtert hospital.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Corn was driving without a valid driver's license.
He has two prior convictions for driving without a license.
The family of Corn said he's paralyzed from the waist down and uses hand control devices to drive his car.
However, Corn's license status does not have hand control endorsement.
Corn now faces several charges, including second degree reckless homicide, second degree recklessly endangering safety, and knowingly operating a vehicle without a valid license.
Corn's family said the crash has left him with guilt.
"I could tell he was so hurt, and I don’t think he would be able to grieve how he wants to until he is home with us," said Hill.
The family said a private funeral for Sierra is set for this weekend.
Corn is set to appear in court for a preliminary hearing next week Tuesday.
Updated on Dec. 16, at 9:45 p.m.
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Charges have been filed against Jered Corn involving the crash.
According to the Wisconsin Court Access, he is facing multiple charges, such as 2nd degree reckless homicide, 2nd degree recklessly endangering safety, and knowingly operating without a valid license.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled on Dec. 26.
Updated on Dec. 13 at 4:49 p.m.
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A 22-year-old woman is dead after a crash outside a south side landmark, Leon's Frozen Custard.
According to police, the incident happened at 9:30 p.m. near the intersection of 27th and Oklahoma, on Tuesday, Dec. 12.
The crash left behind major damage, and for some, a memory they said they won't soon forget.
"Crushing cars, that's kind of what it sounded like, and that's one sound that I hope I never have to hear again," said 28-year-old Allison Normandin.
In a video obtained by CBS 58, you can see the moments leading up to a deadly crash.
"Clothes and belongings all over the road, carnage from the car," that’s the scene Normandin witnessed in front of the famous custard stand when the crash happened.
"I barely got to the exit of Cousins when I seen them go through, so luckily I had a good couple of feet," said Normandin.
As seen on video, a Chevy Equinox was speeding south on 27th Street and ran through a red light. The Equinox hit a Chevy Cruz, which was heading east on Oklahoma Avenue.
The impact of the crash flipped the Equinox several times down 27th Street.
The car would eventually come to a stop after hitting a light pole in front of Leon's Frozen Custard.
Police said the Equinox had two people inside; the passenger, a 22-year-old woman, was pronounced dead on the scene.
The driver was taken to Froedtert Hospital listed in critical condition.
"This is an ongoing thing, the racing down the street at great speed," said Ronald Schneider, owner of Leon's.
Schneider has been on 27th Street for more than 40 years, and he said speeding on the stretch of road has been a constant issue.
"We see it all the time, and all you can do is cross your fingers and hope it doesn’t end up like it did last night," said Schneider.
Schneider called on city leaders to step in.
"Why don’t we react before the problem? Why don’t we fix it before it gets to this point?" said Schneider.
According to public records, there have been 21 crashes year to date at the intersection of 27th and Oklahoma.
Updated on Dec. 13 at 5:27 a.m.
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A 22-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene of a car accident near 27th and Oklahoma Tuesday, Dec. 12, and police say the driver is currently hospitalized in critical condition.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office identified the woman Wednesday as 22-year-old Sierra Hill of Cudahy.
Officials say Hill was the passenger in a vehicle traveling southbound on S. 27th at a high rate of speed. The vehicle reportedly disregarded a red traffic light and collided with another vehicle traveling east on W. Oklahoma Avenue. Police say the speeding vehicle continued south, rolled over, left the road and collided with a parked car before hitting a concrete light police and business sign; the concrete pole then fell onto the parked car.
Authorities say the driver of the speeding vehicle, a 35-year-old, was taken to a local hospital and is in critical condition.
Police say the 45-year-old driver of the vehicle that was struck was uninjured.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360, or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS.
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee County medical examiner was called to a crash at 27th and Oklahoma, near Leon's Frozen Custard, Tuesday night, Dec. 12.
There's a large police presence, and roads are currently closed in the surrounding area.
The medical examiner's office has confirmed that the deceased is a female.
This is a developing story. Stick with CBS 58 for updates on-air and online.