Urban planners talk city streets after reckless driving death of 50-year-old Milwaukee veteran

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- We are learning new information about a man killed in a reckless driving crash over the weekend.

CBS 58 is told Jason Stark was on his way to work when a 24-year-old reckless driver crashed into his car, killing him Saturday night.

The mother of Stark said her son, who served in the Army for two years, will be missed.

Stark was killed minutes before Mother's Day at the intersection of Appleton and Burleigh, an intersection urban planners said could be dangerous.

"These types of streets are where we see the most fatalities in the city of Milwaukee," said, Robert Schneider, professor of urban planning, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Schneider went on to say since 2022, there has been a drop in traffic deaths in the city thanks to calming measures like concrete bump-outs and protected bike lanes -- measures that are noticeably missing along Appleton Avenue.

"Also want to reduce drivers passing others on the right, want to reduce the frequency of people running through red lights, and so the physical design can help that happen," said Schneider.

Schneider said to help curb reckless driving, the city and county would be wise to invest in neighborhoods.

"If we ultimately want to get slower speeds in our communities, people need to have things close by, and so that’s reimagining our streets and reinvesting in the places people live," said Schneider.

The woman involved in Stark's death has been arrested and charges are being referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.

Stark was a courier for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The JS sent CBS 58 News this statement in regard to Starks' death:

"We were deeply saddened by Jason's sudden and tragic passing on Saturday. He was a valued Journal Sentinel courier for 7 years, and our family sends heartfelt condolences to his loved ones."