West Allis man charged in police pursuit, crash that killed 18-year-old cousin

CBS 58

WEST MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A 19-year-old West Allis man is facing charges in connection to the death of his 18-year-old cousin during a police pursuit and crash.

Johnatan Prado is charged with fleeing/eluding an officer resulting in the death of another and second-degree reckless homicide.

Officers attempted to stop Prado in the early morning hours of Jan. 4, according to the criminal complaint, after he failed to stop at a red light near Lincoln Avenue and Miller Park Way. Police say when he continued driving, a pursuit began, with the vehicle reaching speeds in excess of 82 mph.

The complaint says as the vehicle reached the intersection of W. Mitchell Street and S. 37th St., it struck a roundabout median and crashed nearby. Officers obtained video from a nearby residence that reportedly shows the vehicle go airborne, collide with a tree and burst into flames. 

Police say they located two men who were ejected from the vehicle -- Prado and 18-year-old Izack Zavala, who was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Prado was taken to an area hospital for treatment, according to the complaint, later telling investigators that Zavala was his cousin. 

Prosecutors say Prado admitted to driving the vehicle the night of the crash and said he remembered seeing police lights behind him but had no memory of the collision. 

He is due in court for an initial appearance Thursday, Jan. 8.


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