A tragic crash in Milwaukee has led to criminal charges against a man authorities say sped through a neighborhood, fatally struck a pastor’s wife, and injured her young grandson.

Donte Miller, 30, has been charged with second-degree reckless homicide and other offenses in connection with a January 4 hit-and-run that killed 70-year-old Beverly Fair and left her grandson hospitalized, the Christian Post reported.

The crash occurred near 34th and Lloyd streets in Milwaukee as Fair and her grandson Jordan were leaving a relative’s home. They were inside an SUV when their vehicle was violently struck by a speeding car, according to prosecutors.

Speeding Driver Fled On Foot After Violent Impact

Surveillance footage from the area captured the moment of impact, which showed debris flying across the street and one of the vehicles careening into a front yard. The crash caused vehicle parts to scatter across the neighborhood block and even onto a nearby porch.

Officials with the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office reported that the vehicle believed to have caused the crash was traveling between 60 and 80 miles per hour, far exceeding the speed limit in the residential area. The force of the crash was significant enough to destroy both vehicles.

Police said they had spotted a car without a front license plate near 35th and Vine shortly before the crash. When they attempted to stop the vehicle using lights and sirens, they briefly lost sight of it.

Suspect Connected Through DNA And VIN Records

Mere moments after losing track of the vehicle, officers responded to the crash scene, where the suspect vehicle had collided with Fair’s SUV. The driver had already abandoned the vehicle, fleeing on foot and leaving behind the car’s keys and a cellphone still inside.

The car’s Minnesota license plate did not match its registration, prompting investigators to run a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check. That led police to Donte Miller, who had previously been identified in another police pursuit in 2023.

Authorities later searched Miller’s residence and recovered documents and car-related materials consistent with the crashed vehicle. Investigators also discovered a match between Miller’s DNA and samples recovered from inside the wrecked car.

Driver’s License Suspended Since Prior Offense

At the time of the January crash, Miller did not possess a valid driver’s license. Police records show his driving privileges had been suspended since September 2024, stemming from a 2022 incident in which he faced accusations of fleeing law enforcement.

Miller was formally charged later in January with multiple offenses, including second-degree reckless homicide and hit-and-run causing death. He appeared in a Milwaukee courtroom on a Friday, where a judge ordered a competency examination and set his bond at $150,000.

In addition to the homicide charge, Miller faces penalties for fleeing the scene of a fatal crash and operating a vehicle without a valid license—offenses that prosecutors say paint a picture of ongoing recklessness behind the wheel.

Family Member Calls Grandson’s Survival A Miracle

Beverly Fair died from the injuries she suffered in the crash. Her grandson, Jordan, survived but was hospitalized due to the injuries he sustained.

Shyla Deacon, Beverly's daughter and Jordan’s mother, expressed heartfelt emotions in the aftermath of the incident. “I saw the vehicle,” she said, alluding to the extent of the damage from the crash.

“With my mother’s injuries, the fact that he walked out of the hospital, I’m a firm believer it was a miracle that he survived that car accident,” Deacon added.

Legal Proceedings Will Continue Over Summer

The court has ordered a psychological evaluation of Miller to determine whether he is competent to stand trial. No trial date has been set as of now, but proceedings are expected to continue over the summer.

Prosecutors continue to build their case using the various pieces of evidence recovered, including the surveillance footage, vehicle registration discrepancies, DNA findings, and Miller’s suspended driving history.

The case has raised concerns within Milwaukee communities about reckless driving and the importance of enforcing license suspensions more proactively to prevent repeat offenders from endangering lives.