Memorial ride honors women killed in Milwaukee hit-and-run, calls for safer driving

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Family members, friends and community members gathered Saturday morning on Milwaukee's north side to honor two women killed in a hit-and-run crash and to promote safer driving.

The memorial and motorcycle ride followed last week's crash that claimed the lives of 49-year-old Amy Austin and 48-year-old May Daiber, who police say were struck and killed near North 20th Street and West Teutonia Avenue. The driver fled the scene.

Valetta Bradford, founder of The X-Man Foundation, helped organize the event. She said the tragedy brought back painful memories of when her son was paralyzed by a distracted driver at age 5.

Bradford said the ride was held in honor of all victims of reckless driving and urged motorists to slow down and remain attentive behind the wheel.

"I want them to think of their family members and their loved ones crossing the street here, that we need to take to heart that could have been me in the middle of that street crossing the street as a pedestrian and minding my own business," Bradford said.

According to the City of Milwaukee's Vision Zero program, eight pedestrians have been killed in traffic crashes so far this year.