Approximately 50 people gathered Sunday evening to celebrate the life and upcoming birthday of Keiairra Travis after a hit-and-run killed her early Saturday morning.
The 25-year-old was out celebrating with her sisters at Prime Social, a bar near North 76th Street and Good Hope Road, when the tragedy occurred.
With hundreds of birthday and pink balloons in hand, Keiairra’s friends and family gathered across the street from Prime Social to share memories and offer prayers at a balloon release memorial organized by Keiairra’s twin sister, Keianna Travis.
The balloon release doubled as a birthday celebration a day before what would have been her and Keianna’s 26th birthdays on Monday, Oct. 13.
Their father, Bernard Travis, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel his daughter had a “kind spirit” and would often times put others’ needs before her own.
“She was always the type of child that wanted to help other people,” Bernard said. “She wanted keys to my apartment because I have health issues. I told her that day, ‘If we don’t get a chance to do it today, then we’ll do it tomorrow.’ I hate that I didn’t get the chance to give her those keys so she could check on her daddy.”
Sheadrean Blanks, Keiairra’s mother, told the Journal Sentinel that Keiairra loved to write and sing her own music that she would share online, and that she would light up every room with her presence.
“She had a little bit of me in her. Always smiling and always joyful. She just touched hearts,” Blanks said.
Keiairra’s parents said she cared deeply for her family. Born before her twin sister, Keiairra was the second youngest of seven kids.
The Milwaukee Police Department said in a statement an unknown vehicle speeding south on North 76th Street struck Travis, who was crossing at the street’s 7200 block, around 12:26 a.m. on Oct. 11.
This intersection has seen multiple traffic incidents this year. Since the start of 2025, there have been 33 incidents at North 76th Street and Good Hope Road, not including this one, according to police data obtained by TMJ4.
Keiairra was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver fled, according to the statement. Authorities are investigating the incident.
As of Oct. 9, 48 people in Milwaukee have died from injuries sustained in traffic crashes, according to police data.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or P3 Tips.
Anna Kleiber can be reached at akleiber@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: ‘She just touched hearts:’ Family gathers for balloon release after Milwaukee woman dies from hit-and-run
Reporting by Anna Kleiber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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