Wisconsin Man Accused of Racing at 100+ MPH in 35 Zone Before Fatal Crash That Killed EMT, Police Say

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN — A 22-year-old Wisconsin man is facing multiple felony charges after police say he was racing his cousin at more than 100 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone when his pickup truck slammed into another vehicle, killing a 34-year-old emergency medical technician.

According to the Milwaukee Police Department, Dayton Milligan is charged with first-degree reckless homicide, hit-and-run involving death, and knowingly operating a vehicle while revoked in connection with the January 15 crash.

The collision occurred around 9 p.m. at the intersection of North 76th Street and West Glendale Avenue on Milwaukee’s northwest side.

Vehicles Found “Attached” After High-Speed Impact

When officers arrived at the scene, they found a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and a Volkswagen Atlas nearly 100 feet off the roadway, police said.

Detectives wrote in the probable cause affidavit that the vehicles appeared to be “attached to each other” in a violent T-bone position, indicating the extreme force of the impact.

The driver of the Volkswagen, Meng Kue, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witness Says Pickup Was Racing Moments Before Crash

A witness told investigators she was stopped at 76th Street and Appleton Avenue when a black Chevy pickup pulled up next to her. When the traffic light turned green, the pickup and two other vehicles began racing southbound.

At the next intersection, the witness said she saw the pickup slam into the Volkswagen as it crossed Glendale Avenue.

She reported seeing a man wearing a blue puffy winter jacket exit the truck. Though visibly shaken, he did not appear seriously injured. The man allegedly grabbed items from the pickup before jumping into another vehicle involved in the race and fleeing the scene.

Truck Data Shows Speeds Over 100 MPH

Police later searched the abandoned pickup and found personal items belonging to Milligan, including a visitor badge from a children’s hospital.

Surveillance footage confirmed Milligan was at the hospital roughly 20 minutes before the crash, though investigators did not disclose who he was visiting.

Vehicle data revealed staggering speeds:

• 106 mph approximately 2.5 seconds before impact
• 101 mph just half a second before the crash

The posted speed limit on that stretch of road is 35 mph, police said.

Cousin Allegedly Helped Milligan Escape Scene

Investigators received a tip that 37-year-old Earl Gordon, Milligan’s cousin, picked him up after the crash. According to police, Gordon allegedly called multiple people seeking medical care to avoid taking Milligan to a hospital.

The tipster told police Milligan had suffered a deep knee injury that was “showing the bone.” Authorities also said witnesses reported the two men frequently raced their vehicles.

Arrested With Blood-Soaked Bandage, Police Say

Police obtained an arrest warrant and took Milligan into custody days later. Officers noted he had a large, hastily applied bandage on his knee, soaked with blood.

Investigators said the bandage did not appear consistent with professional medical treatment.

During a search of Milligan’s apartment, police recovered the blue puffy jacket described by the witness and a bloody pair of pants, according to the complaint.

Victim Identified as EMT, Family Speaks Out

An autopsy determined Kue died from blunt force trauma, suffering catastrophic injuries including a spinal cord injury and multiple skull and rib fractures.

Local reporting confirmed Kue worked as an EMT for Bell Ambulance. His family released a statement through the company.

“He was adored, cherished, and will be incredibly missed by his family and friends,” the family said, thanking first responders and law enforcement for their efforts.

Prior Deadly Hit-and-Run Conviction Raises Stakes

Court records show Milligan never had a valid driver’s license and was previously involved in a 2020 hit-and-run crash that resulted in a death.

He was convicted in that earlier case of second-degree reckless homicide and hit-and-run causing death, prosecutors confirmed.

Milligan now faces the possibility of decades in prison if convicted on the current charges.

What should the punishment be for repeat offenders involved in deadly street racing? Share your thoughts and join the conversation on Cabarrus Weekly.