A Milwaukee man faces a felony charge after prosecutors allege he hit and killed a man with his vehicle and left the scene without calling for help, according to a criminal complaint filed July 13.
Travis Doss, 46, is charged with hit-and-run causing death. If convicted, Doss faces up to 25 years in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both. His driver’s license would also be revoked for five years under Wisconsin law.
Milwaukee police responded to 22nd and National Avenue for reports of a person hit by a vehicle
According to the complaint:
Around 10:30 p.m. July 7, Milwaukee police responded to 2223 W. National Ave. and found Troy Joseph Lewek lying in the roadway. Despite life-saving efforts, Lewek was pronounced dead at 10:55 p.m.
A 911 caller told investigators he heard a loud thud, walked outside and found Lewek lying unresponsive in the street after bystanders told him a man had been struck by a vehicle.
Surveillance footage showed moment of impact
Surveillance video reviewed by police showed Lewek crossing National Avenue at 10:30 p.m. when he was struck by vehicle, later identified as a 2004 maroon Mercury Grand Marquis, driving eastbound. Lewek was seen landing on the hood before falling into the roadway. The sedan continued southbound on 22nd Street without stopping.
About 19 seconds later, a second vehicle, believed to be a Chevrolet Monte Carlo, struck Lewek’s motionless body and drove over him before continuing eastbound. Police said the second vehicle dragged Lewek further along the road.
Footage showed that the first vehicle returned to the scene about 1½ minute later, stopped briefly, then drove away again.
Doss was arrested during a traffic stop on July 8
At about 3:16 p.m. the following day, Milwaukee police conducted a traffic stop of a 2004 maroon Mercury Grand Marquis near 7308 W. Capitol Drive and identified the driver and sole occupant as Doss.
Doss told police the vehicle belonged to him and that he was its only driver. He was then taken into custody.
Doss told police he was driving near 22nd Street and National Avenue when he struck Lewek near the center line of the roadway. He said he drove around the corner and returned to the scene to check on Lewek, believing he was moving slightly. Doss then drove down a side street to decide what to do.
Doss told investigators he was scared and watched police and emergency responders arrive before leaving the area. He later spoke with his wife while deciding whether to call police or turn himself in but ultimately decided it would not make a difference at that point, according to the complaint.
An autopsy conducted July 8 determined Lewek died from multiple blunt-force injuries consistent with being struck by vehicles.
Doss made his initial appearance July 14. Cash bail was set at $50,000, and he is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing July 21.
Adrienne Davis is a general assignment and breaking news reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee man charged in fatal hit-and-run on National Avenue
Reporting by Adrienne Davis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Adrienne Davis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
