A 30-year-old Milwaukee man, Sylvester Thomas, has been charged in connection with a hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of an 11-year-old boy. Thomas is facing one felony count of second-degree reckless homicide and one felony count of hit and run resulting in death.
The victim, identified as 11-year-old Tyrone Jr. Reese of Milwaukee, was riding his bicycle when the incident occurred on Sunday, August 27. Witnesses reported seeing two drivers, one in a Lexus and the other in a Challenger, racing down Fond Du Lac Ave. According to witnesses, the Challenger swerved to avoid Reese, but the Lexus, driven by Thomas, struck the boy.
Reese was taken to the hospital with severe neck and internal injuries. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries three days later on August 30.
Witnesses estimated that both drivers were traveling at nearly 80 mph in a 30 mph zone. The driver of the Challenger stated that he saw Reese and another boy riding their bikes in the bike lane. After passing them, he heard a loud bang and saw Reese and his bike “fly into the air.” The driver of the Lexus, Thomas, passed him, and both drivers left the scene.
The driver of the Challenger later returned to the scene and saw Thomas’ passenger still present. He took a picture of the Lexus, which had severe front-end damage, including a crushed hood, smashed windshield, and marks from a bicycle on the hood.
On August 28, Thomas turned himself in and admitted to being the driver of the Lexus. He claimed that the driver of the Challenger had struck Reese first, and he struck him afterward. However, the Challenger did not have any damage.
If convicted, Thomas faces a maximum sentence of 50 years in prison and $200,000 in fines. Reese’s family has set up a fund to cover his funeral costs.
