Milwaukee man charged in crash that killed pregnant woman and her baby

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- An 18-year-old Milwaukee man is charged in connection with a crash that left a woman and her unborn child dead.

Akol Riak has been charged with the following:

• Second degree reckless homicide (two counts)
• Second degree reckless injury (three counts)
• Second degree recklessly endangering safety

The crash happened just before 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 7, near Brown Deer Road and Servite Drive. 

According to the Milwaukee Police Department, a white Chevy Equinox was traveling east on Brown Deer Road at a high rate of speed and collided with a blue Dodge Caravan that was traveling west on Brown Deer Road and turning north on Servite Drive.

The driver of the Dodge was 62 years old and had three passengers. The passengers were 32, 8, and 8. All were conveyed to a local hospital.

The pregnant 32-year-old woman and her baby both died. The 32-year-old was identified as Monique Stewart. 

The baby, according to the complaint, was kept alive until his father could meet him. 

The driver of the Equinox, who was identified by officials as Riak, was interviewed the day after the crash. The criminal complaint says, Riak admitted he was the driver of the Equinox at the time of the incident. Riak allegedly stated he was on his way to pick up his cousin and driving behind a red car he thought was going to turn. At the time Riak approached the intersection, he stated he could not stop because it was too late. 

When asked how fast he was going, Riak allegedly estimated he was going 45 mph. When told surveillance footage showed he was going faster, Riak later admitted he was going "way faster" than the posted speed limit of 40 mph. 

Downloaded data from the Equinox, according to the complaint, shows it was traveling 86 mph 2.5 seconds before the crash. The brake was not applied until .5 seconds before the crash at which time the Equinox was traveling 82 mph. 

Riak was arrested and charged. In court for his initial appearance Tuesday, Jan. 16, bond was set at $250,000. 

A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 26.