Leandre Brown Killed in Milwaukee Motorcycle Accident
19-year-old driver in custody as police investigate red light violation at Fond du Lac Avenue
Leandre Brown, 39, of Milwaukee, was killed in a motorcycle accident at Fond du Lac Avenue and Roosevelt Drive in Milwaukee on May 26, according to the Milwaukee Police Department.
A westbound car collided with the eastbound Can-Am Spyder sport bike in the intersection just before 12:15 a.m. paramedics attempted life-saving measures, but the rider was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 19-year-old driver of the car was taken into custody. Investigators are working to determine if either driver ran a red light, though police said reckless driving does not appear to be a factor. The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office will review the case for potential charges.
Friends and family gathered at the intersection throughout the morning to clean up debris. Loved ones remembered the local bar owner as a dedicated father and entrepreneur who frequently gave back to his community.
Why did the vehicles collide at Fond du Lac Avenue and Roosevelt Drive?
The sudden loss of a community fixture like Brown leaves grieving families searching for answers. As investigators work to determine who had the right of way, they routinely examine all potential cause, including whether impairment played a role before the collision. National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. "If a bar continues to serve alcohol to someone who is clearly intoxicated and that decision leads to a serious crash, the law can hold that business accountable for contributing to the danger."
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 42,795 people died in traffic crashes nationwide in 2022, with intersection collisions representing much of those death.
What are the next steps for Brown's family?
While police review the red light sequence, surviving family members often face immediate emotional and financial burdens. In fatal intersection crashes, establishing liability is critical for those left behind. National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal. "An incident is considered a wrongful death when either a person or entity commits a wrongful or negligent act resulting in a person's death... When vehicle accident fatalities result from unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence, family members are usually left with the option to pursue a civil action against the responsible motorist."
Wisconsin wrongful death statute
Under Wis. Stat. § 895.04, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Wisconsin applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of society and companionship, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.