Balloon release honors 4-year-old killed in hit-and-run; suspect held on $500,000 cash bond

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A sea of pink took over the intersection of Teutonia and Vera, Saturday afternoon as family members of 4-year-old Zekani Hymes-Wilson participated in a balloon release to honor her memory. 

Family and friends carried pink balloons, teddy bears, and flowers to add to the growing memorial. 

“Her face was beautiful, just a precious little girl," said Kijuana Jackson, a family friend. “This is a baby that lost her life very young, and her face should be the face that everyone should see to want to stop reckless driving.”

On Tuesday afternoon, Gloria Hymes and her daughter, Zekani were crossing the street to get lunch. That’s when they were run over by a vehicle.

"Something has to happen in our community. We got to take our neighborhoods back. We got to take our families back. We got to take our city back. And in the City of Milwaukee, just a change need to occur overall," said Jackson.

In surveillance video, the driver and passenger got out of the vehicle to check on them. The driver got back in the car and drove away.

“They deserve to be able to go. It’s warm outside. They should be able to go outside and play or cross streets with their parents without having to worry about somebody hitting them and then just leaving the scene. That is garbage. It’s garbage. It’s (expletive) and it should not happen. It should not happen," said Mayor Cavalier Johnson in a press conference shortly after the hit and run. 

Later that night, police arrested 30-year-old Donald Crayton in connection to the hit and run. In the criminal complaint, Investigators say Hymes identified Crayton and stated they were in a relationship and living together.

Crayton made his first court appearance, virtually, Saturday afternoon. He’s facing multiple felony charges, including hit and run resulting in death. 

Family members say they want justice.

"Who has to die next for our lawmakers and our government and somebody to make a change in the city of Milwaukee. I mean, at what point does it stop?" said Jackson. 

Crayton is currently being held on a $500,000 cash bond. His next court appearance is May 14th.