Milwaukee police chase, crews crash on south side; driver accused

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee man accused of leading police High speed chase in October. Two squads crashed during that pursuit, and prosecutors say this wasn’t the first time a police officer was involved in a crash that injured him.

FOX6’s Sam Kraemer will have more details on this story; Thursday night at 21.00 and 22.00

In the latest case, prosecutors charged 34-year-old Daubon Pena with eight felonies. Court records show he is currently jailed on $50,000 bail.

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Police were searching for Pena, who had multiple arrest warrants, on the city’s south side last month. One of those arrest warrants was related to a case in which he was accused of causing a crash last summer that injured a motorcycle attendant, among others.

According to the criminal complaint, officers saw Pena driving a gray Kia with Illinois license plates around 5 p.m. that night. Officers activated their unmarked squad’s lights and sirens to stop Pena near Layton and Becher, but he made a U-turn and fled.

The pursuit stretched more than nine miles along the city’s south side and along the interstate, where prosecutors said speeds exceeded 100 mph during rush hour. The incident ended near 13th Street and Orchard when Pena jumped from the still-moving car and ran into an alley. A gray Kia crashed into a parked minibus and damaged it.

During the chase, two pursuing Milwaukee police squads collided with each other near 11th Street and Greenfield, causing serious damage to both vehicles. Three police officers were taken to hospital with non-fatal injuries.

Officers chased after him and arrested Pena soon after. Court filings state the gray Kia was reported stolen in Chicago in September. Inside the car, police found suspected drugs, digital scales, cell phones and credit cards with Pena’s name on them.

The Milwaukee Police Association told FOX6 News that the officers injured near 11th and Greenfield had to take a few days off work after the crash and returned to office duties; They did not return to the field. MPD confirmed they are back to work.

Court records show this isn’t the first time Pena has been charged in a crash that injured an MPD officer.

In August 2023, a multi-vehicle crash occurred near 35th Street and North. Prosecutors said the black Dodge ran a red light and hit the red Mazda. Milwaukee County Transit System bus. The red Mazda then hit the motorcycle attendant who was stopped at a red light.

The motorcycle driver was taken to the hospital and treated. The bus driver and a passenger were also taken to hospital. According to the complaint, the driver of the red Mazda was not injured, but the vehicle suffered serious damage.

Prosecutors said video from the MCTS bus showed the black Dodge driving in the parking lane to go around vehicles stopped at a red light and then crashing into the red Mazda. The red Mazda was also seen hitting the motorcycle attendant and pushing him into the MCTS bus.

In the video included in the complaint, the shirtless driver, identified as Pena, is seen grabbing a small dog from the car before fleeing the scene. He was later arrested and court records show he posted a $6,500 cash bond and was released from custody in December 2023.

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in court

At the time of the pursuit, Pena was out on bail for two separate cases in Milwaukee County; one for a crash in 2023, the other for drug possession and driving a stolen car earlier this year.

In total, Pena is now charged with eight felonies and one misdemeanor for the October pursuit:

• Vehicle operator fleeing/evading police – causing property damage (twice)

• First degree recklessly endangering safety

• Driving a vehicle without the owner’s permission

• possession with intent to distribute cocaine

• Felony bail jumping (three counts)

• Obstructing an officer is a misdemeanor

Court records show Pena is currently jailed on $50,000 bail in the case.