Man who fled from July 2017 crash involving Milwaukee Police sentenced

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A man who crashed his car into a Milwaukee Police officer and a detective was sentenced in Milwaukee County Court Monday. He will spend ten months in the House of Corrections.

“I apologize to the officers and the family this has affected,” Lodonesty Fowlkes, Defendant, said.

On July 20, 2017 Fowlkes crashed into a parked car, a Milwaukee Police officer and a detective walking on Sherman Boulevard.

“From being thrown up in air and back down they could have died,” Milwaukee County Judge Michelle Ackerman Havas said.

Detective Andrew Marx suffered a broken leg and permanent scarring on his face. Officer Paul Marchese hurt his elbow and shoulder, and can now only work as a limited duty officer.

“Not every officer goes home at the end of their shift and that could have easily been me or Officer Marchese,” Milwaukee Detective Andrew Marx said.

Fowlkes faced up to 15 years in prison for the hit and run, but the judge took into consideration that he had no prior criminal or driving record and he turned himself in. Monday, he was sentenced to four years of probation, 10 months of that probation will be served in jail.

“If for some reason he violates the terms of his probation and his probation gets revoked…that’s when the six-year sentence would kick in,” Fred Klimetz, Defense Attorney said.

That sentence would be split up into three years in prison and three years on extended supervision. Folkes’ father says he was hoping for just probation.

“I just thought that that was the best outcome, but it’s not,” Ladonesty Fowlkes Sr. said. “I just don’t feel like this system is fair at all.”

Folkes was also ordered to pay $1,700 in restitution.