Car theft, reckless driving leads to fiery crash near Hawley and Vliet Sunday morning
WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The West Allis Police Department (WAPD) announced in a news release Sunday, Nov. 28, that police had arrested two individuals involved in a fiery reckless driving crash of a stolen vehicle near Hawley and Vliet early Sunday, Nov. 28.
"After dark, it's a mystery as to what happened, but the debris kind of tells the story that it wasn't good," James Durawa said. He owns Wy-East Pizza.
Authorities say that at approximately 1:40 a.m. Sunday, West Allis police received a radio call from West Milwaukee police relating to two individuals in the act of trying to steal a Kia near 54th and Beloit.
Police add that soon after the call, a West Allis police officer observed two Kia vehicles driving together in the area of 60th and Mitchell.
West Allis police report that the officer attempted to catch up to the Kias, which were driving recklessly in the roadway.
Reports indicate that both Kias attempted to flee from the officer.
One Kia reportedly traveled east on W. McKinley Ave. and the other continued northbound.
Officials say that the northbound Kia crashed into a third vehicle at the intersection of Hawley and Vliet.
Police report that shortly after the crash, the Kia started on fire.
"It started smoking and the entire car just burst into flames, and there were cops running around yelling," a neighbor said, who didn't want to be identified.
WAPD says that the West Allis police, with the assistance of a Milwaukee police officer, pulled the occupants of the Kia out of the vehicle.
Authorities report that a 14-year-old male, the driver of the Kia, was taken into custody for operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent.
Additionally, a 17-year-old female from Milwaukee was taken into custody for being a passenger in a vehicle being operated without the owner’s consent.
"It’s ridiculous that it's kids, have no entertainment in their life I guess, and they have to resort to stealing cars and putting everyone's life at danger flying around these neighborhoods," Durawa said.
Surrounding employees and neighbors say it's a treacherous intersection.
"I hear car crashes happening at this intersection, I heard four in the last couple of years."
West Allis police say no individuals were injured in the incident.