Complaint: Driver traveling at 92 mph in moments leading up to fatal Appleton Avenue crash
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee woman has been criminally charged in the death of 50-year-old Jason Stark.
Ellastaysha Harris, 24, is charged with second degree reckless homicide, knowingly operating a motor vehicle while suspended (causing death), and two counts second degree recklessly endangering safety.
Stark died after a crash that occurred at the intersection of Appleton and Burleigh the night of May 11.
According to a criminal complaint, officers in the area witnessed a Ford Flex, later determined to be driven by Harris, traveling eastbound on W. Appleton Avenue at a high rate of speed. One of the officers reported watching the Ford pass multiple vehicles on the right in an unsafe manner before disregarding a red traffic signal at W. Nash Street.
Police said they made a U-turn to follow the vehicle, but the Ford was traveling so fast it was a few blocks ahead. As they approached the intersection of Burleigh and Appleton, officers said they found the Ford Flex had been involved in a crash with two other vehicles, including a Nissan Rogue and Mitsubishi.
The complaint says the officers spoke with Harris on scene, who said that she was on her way to her sister who was in an "emergency position" and that she was sorry for speeding.
Police say two occupants of the Nissan Rogue were located conscious and were taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Mitsubishi, later identified as Jason Stark, was found unresponsive and died of his injuries on May 12.
Prosecutors say surveillance footage reviewed by officers shows Harris' vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed, attempting to go around the other eastbound traffic (including Stark) on the right side, in a right-turn only lane, before colliding with the Mitsubishi and sending it into the westbound traffic lanes where the Mitsubishi collided with the Nissan Rogue.
The complaint says investigators discovered Harris had a suspended driver's license, and that while speaking to an officer on scene, Harris admitted to knowing her license was suspended.
When questioned by detectives, Harris reportedly stated that she believed her license had been suspended for about three years. She went on to say she had just left her mother's house and was going home, by herself, estimating a speed between 35-40 mph.
The complaint says data recovered from Harris' vehicle shows the Ford Flex traveling at 92 mph five seconds before the crash. At 0.5 seconds before the crash, data shows Harris would have been traveling at 68 mph, and the last recorded data point (at or near the point of impact), Harris would have been traveling at 64 mph. Approximately 2.5 seconds before the crash, data shows the brake was applied.
Prosecutors say the speed limit in this area is 35 mph.
Records show Harris had been cited and convicted of operating while suspended on six prior occasions dating back to 2019.
Her initial court appearance was set for May 16.