Milwaukee police chief involved in crash after leaving news conference on reckless driving
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Authorities released new findings from an investigation into a crash involving a dump truck and an SUV carrying Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman.
The crash happened Monday, Nov. 6, following a news conference at Milwaukee Police Department District 4.
According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, who is handling the investigation, the driver of the dump truck -- which is owned by an area landscaping company -- stated his brakes "went out" as he attempted to stop. An inspection of the truck confirmed its two rear brakes failed while the front brakes malfunctioned.
"Despite speculative social media chatter, reckless driving does not appear to have factored in this crash," the sheriff's office said in a news release.
The company that owns the truck was issued a citation, and the truck was taken offline for four brake violations. All violations will have to be fixed, and the truck will have to pass an inspection by the Wisconsin State Patrol, per state and federal guidelines, before it is allowed back in service.
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman is recovering after being involved in a crash on Monday, Nov. 6.
The crash happened after Chief Norman was leaving a news conference centered around reckless driving.
"I call upon all of us to stop reckless driving, parents teach your children to drive lawfully," said Chief Norman.
Norman addressed members of the media at Milwaukee Police Department District 4 showing his support for Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and the Milwaukee Common Council's latest push to curb reckless driving throughout the city.
"I'm grateful that Common Council and the mayor are here to address this citywide safety issue by thinking creatively about legislation to assist in our efforts," said Norman.
The day began as planned with Mayor Cavalier Johnson signing a resolution, requesting lawmakers in Madison give harsher punishment to people in Milwaukee who choose to drive recklessly.
The news conference would end shortly after the document was signed.
Elected officials, including Norman, got into their vehicles to leave.
But one block from the District 4 building, near 68th and Silver Spring, Norman would be involved in a car crash.
Police said the chief was in the car at the time of the crash along with another officer.
Police have not said if this crash was a case of reckless driving.
CBS 58 was on the scene when the chief was placed into an ambulance and taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injurers.
With the rise of accidents reckless or not, Chief Norman shared this message:
"I encourage everyone to think creatively about how to address this issue the solution just isn’t one thing or one approach it is all of us working together to address it, I always say we are better together," said Chief Norman.
The cause of the crash is being investigated by the Milwaukee County sheriff's office.
As we were leaving a press conference centered around reckless driving, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffery Norman was involved in a car crash a block away from Milwaukee Police District 4. I saw Chief Norman on the ground being looked at by paramedics, he appeared to be okay. pic.twitter.com/KOAcOEPSyH
— Bryant McCray (@BryantMcNews) November 6, 2023
Mayor Cavalier Johnson released the following statement Monday afternoon:
“I have reached out to Chief Norman to offer my wishes for a quick recovery. The traffic crash that injured the Chief was cruelly coincidental in that it took place immediately following our news conference on reckless driving.
“We did not need this type of reminder that all drivers need to slow down and increase caution on our roadways.”