Deadly Wrong-Way Crash on Milwaukee’s High Rise Bridge Claims Three Lives
MILWAUKEE — A tragic wrong-way collision on the northbound lanes of Interstate 43 at National Avenue, near Milwaukee’s High Rise bridge, claimed the lives of three individuals in the early hours of Saturday. Witnesses reported the devastating crash, which also left one driver injured and raised concerns about freeway safety.
According to police scanner reports, a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction collided head-on with an SUV. The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office responded swiftly to the scene. The wrong-way driver, identified as 29-year-old Lonnie Burke of Milwaukee, and his cousin, 29-year-old Aldriana Givens, were pronounced dead at the scene. Burke’s sister, 31-year-old Tanisha Warren, later succumbed to her injuries.
Support US and Our Work, Donate to US
Miraculously, the driver of the SUV and a baby passenger escaped without serious injuries. However, another driver, James Kumrow-Morgan, sustained back and arm injuries when he attempted to avoid the wrong-way vehicle and was struck by another car.
“It happened very quickly. It was still dark. I saw headlights and thought, ‘This is not going to end well,’” Kumrow-Morgan recounted. “When that individual tried to avoid him and then collided with me, pushing me against the wall, I thought I was either going to fall off the high-rise bridge or roll over.”
Kumrow-Morgan also expressed frustration over the financial toll of the incident, as his family’s only vehicle was rendered unusable. “Aside from the accident and the tragic loss of life, this situation could be financially crippling for someone who was merely caught in the chaos,” he said. He called for improved safety measures on freeway ramps to prevent wrong-way entries, emphasizing that existing technology could help avert such tragedies.
The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation. While autopsy results are pending to determine if Burke was impaired at the time of the accident, the medical examiner’s report noted the presence of an open bottle of tequila and marijuana in Burke’s vehicle, as well as marijuana and a substance suspected to be cocaine in his pockets.
Newschain reached out to the mothers of the three deceased individuals, but neither chose to comment. Authorities continue to investigate the incident as the community grapples with the aftermath of the deadly crash.
