Car Crash on Water Street Leaves Two Women Seriously Injured

A Devastating Incident on Water Street

Just a short distance from the intersection of Water and State streets, broken barricades lie scattered on the sidewalk, their splintered wood a stark reminder of a recent tragic event. These barricades were installed to prevent vehicles from entering certain parts of Water Street during weekend nights. However, on Saturday night, a car ignored these barriers, crashing into two 22-year-old women around 2 a.m. Sunday.

Alex Michaelis, who was in Milwaukee for her wedding, described the chaos she witnessed. "It was just so loud. I just remember that. And when I got to the scene, that's when I saw the two young women injured," she said. Michaelis, a registered nurse, was in her wedding dress when she rushed over to help the victims. She stayed by one of the women’s sides until first responders arrived.

"She was unconscious for a while, so I was very nervous about her," Michaelis shared. Her quick actions likely played a crucial role in saving lives during the critical moments after the crash.

The Injuries Suffered by the Victims

A GoFundMe campaign for one of the injured women, named Sam, details the severity of her injuries. Sam suffered multiple broken bones, including her nose and hand, as well as skin lacerations that required 16 stitches. The campaign states that Sam, a 22-year-old daughter, sister, granddaughter, and soon-to-be grad student, now faces a long and painful recovery. She will need months of reconstructive dental work, hand therapy, and numerous doctor visits. Eating is currently limited to soft foods and liquids, and her family and boyfriend have taken time off work to care for her.

Another GoFundMe campaign for Chloe, Sam’s friend at the time of the incident, highlights even more severe injuries. Chloe sustained a grade four liver laceration, a partially collapsed lung, a fractured tibia, and a severe pelvic fracture. She remains hospitalized and is facing a long road to recovery. The campaign notes that her life has been turned upside down by this senseless accident, and she is unable to return to work or daily life for the foreseeable future.

A Pattern of Negligence

This crash is not the first time that barricades have been disregarded in the area. In March 2024, a 28-year-old woman was seriously hurt in a hit-and-run a block away, at Water and Highland streets. Surveillance video captured a car plowing through wooden barricades before hitting a pedestrian.

In January 2024, two Milwaukee police officers were taken to the hospital after a car drove through the barricades and crashed into their squad car. These incidents highlight a recurring issue that has put pedestrians and law enforcement at risk.

Calls for Better Safety Measures

Michaelis emphasized the need for stronger measures to protect people. "They need to get something stronger in place to help protect everybody," she said.

The driver involved in Sunday’s crash remained at the scene. Milwaukee police issued citations for failing to yield the right of way, not having insurance, and a vehicle registration violation. However, it remains unclear if criminal charges will be filed.

WISN 12 News asked Milwaukee police whether they would recommend criminal charges to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office but did not receive an immediate response.

Looking Ahead

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, there is a growing call for improved safety measures to prevent such incidents from happening again. The stories of Sam and Chloe serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws.