MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Two longtime friends were struck and killed by a speeding SUV while crossing a Milwaukee street together late at night, leaving their families and community devastated as police continue searching for the driver responsible.
The victims, Amy Austin, 49, and May Daiber, 48, were fatally hit on July 12 while crossing Teutonia Avenue near Vienna Avenue at approximately 11 p.m., according to Milwaukee police.
Friends Were Crossing the Street Together
Austin and Daiber had been close friends for years and regularly played pool together. According to witnesses, the pair appeared happy as they crossed the street together, holding hands shortly before tragedy struck.
David Young, who witnessed the collision, said he watched the women walk into the roadway before a speeding SUV suddenly appeared.
“I’m just looking at their faces. They’re so happy,” Young recalled. “They got to the middle of the street, and then I saw the black SUV out of my peripheral vision hit both of them.”
Young said the vehicle did not appear to slow down or apply its brakes before the impact.
Driver Fled the Scene
Police said the driver of the SUV fled immediately after striking the two women, turning the deadly crash into a hit-and-run investigation.
Investigators believe the suspect vehicle is a black GMC Yukon, model years 2007 through 2014.
Authorities say the SUV is likely missing its front “GMC” grille emblem and may have significant damage, including:
- Front grille damage
- Front bumper damage
- Passenger-side headlight damage
- Missing front GMC emblem
Police are urging anyone who spots a vehicle matching that description to contact investigators immediately.
Authorities Believe Racing May Have Played a Role
According to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office, investigators believe the SUV driver may have been racing another vehicle at the time of the crash.
Police have also stated that the SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed when it struck the women.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not announced any arrests.
Families Remember Two Beloved Friends
The deaths of Austin and Daiber have left family members and friends grieving.
A GoFundMe campaign created for Austin’s family described the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
“They were crossing the street on a night out in Milwaukee. The driver of a black SUV that was racing another vehicle at the time hit them and drove off. As police work to find the person responsible, the families of both women are in shock and experiencing unimaginable grief.”
A separate fundraiser established for Daiber’s family also reflected the profound loss.
“Losing them both in such a senseless and heartbreaking way has devastated everyone who loved them.”
Friends Plead for Driver to Come Forward
Friends of the victims are urging the person responsible to surrender to authorities.
Reggie Stephens, a longtime friend of Austin, said he cannot imagine living with the burden of causing such a tragedy.
“Come forward. You can’t live with this yourself. There’s no way. And if you can, then you’re not human.”
Investigation Continues
Milwaukee police continue searching for the hit-and-run driver and are asking anyone with information about the crash or the black GMC Yukon involved to contact investigators.
Authorities hope tips from the public will help identify the suspect and bring answers to the families of Amy Austin and May Daiber, whose lives were cut short in what investigators believe was a preventable, high-speed crash.
