Community rallies to combat reckless driving after 6-year-old killed in hit-and-run

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Common Council is asking for the state's help, and they requested resources to make roads safer in a signed letter to Gov. Tony Evers.

Police say they have persons of interest in custody after a driver hit three kids Thursday evening. A 6-year-old girl was killed.

The hit-and-run has the community desperate for ways to combat reckless driving. Losing a child so senselessly like this, from a driver running a red light, has sparked calls for real change.

Lisa Gee was killed while crossing the street. Her sister and cousin were hit too, both seriously injured.

"This is a tragedy that impacted the entire city," said Reggie Moore, Director of the Office of Violence Prevention. "Everybody is concerned."

Police have more than one person in custody who they say are linked to the crash. Milwaukee leaders say that's not enough - not if the persistent issue of reckless driving is to be truly addressed.

Alderman Russell Stamper plans to introduce new laws.

"We're going to hit them in the pocket, or we're going to take their car away or we're going to put you in jail," he said. "If you disrespect the community, if you kill people, you need to be held accountable."

His colleague, Ald. Robert Bauman, has proposed moving $1.2 million out of public works and the police department into a road safety budget.

"Slow down traffic by narrowing roadways, widening sidewalks, installing bump-outs at intersections," he said. "Physical changes to the physical environment of the roadway can literally force people to act safely."

Change is happening outside of City Hall, too. A violence prevention meeting Friday night turned into a brainstorming session.

"We have to change the idea and the culture of what it means to be behind the wheel of a car. We have to make sure young people have access to driver's ed."

City leaders say no family should ever have to go through what Lisa's family is going through. They want to make that a reality, and they say individual people buying in is an important first step.

"We need to come together and denounce this reckless driving, denounce this bad behavior."

There'll be a vigil for Lisa on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. on 22nd and Center. It will be open to the public.