Jose Peña Died Of Head Injuries After Hit-and-Run In Milwaukee's Southside

Police are looking for a vehicle caught by surveillance cameras at the 400 block of W. National Ave. in a hit-and-run that resulted in the death of a 34-year-old man. A second fatal hit-and-run was reported earlier on Chávez Drive, a 40-year-old man died.

By H. Nelson Goodson

November 23, 2014

Milwaukee, WI - On Sunday, José L. Peña, Jr., 34, died after a hit-and-run driver struck him while crossing the street near the 400 block of W. National Ave. around 2:00 a.m. Peña who got struck by a vehicle was taken to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his head injuries. A life support machine was removed in the afternoon.

Police are reviewing several surveillance video cameras in the block that might have captured the fatal hit-and-run.
A known suspect who was driving a black 2002 Audi Quattro is being sought by police, Lt. Mark Stanmeyer, the Milwaukee Police Public Relations Supervisor from the Chief's office confirmed.

Another fatal hit-and-run was reported around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday at the 900 block of S. César E. Chávez Drive. Alfred De la O Silveira, 61, was struck while crossing Chávez Drive and W. Mineral Street, according to police.

A 49-year-old driver who fled the scene from Chávez Dr. after the hit-and-run crash was later arrested by police. Charges are pending against the driver.

Update: The 29-year-old suspect involved in the hit-and-run death of José L. Peña Jr., 34, on November 23 was taken into custody on Tuesday, November 25 in Laredo, Texas. He was attempting to cross into Mexico to avoid prosecution. The suspect is awaiting extradition to Wisconsin and is being held on a probation violation warrant.
The black 2002 Audi Quattro used in the hit-and-run was recovered in Racine and seized for evidence, according to MPD.