'It was horrendous, terrifying': MPD seeks driver involved in crash that killed two women early Wednesday

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A gearstick, shattered glass, a torn seatbelt, and other broken car parts lay scattered across the sidewalk near 23rd and Hopkins on Milwaukee's north side.

They're a harsh reminder of the tragedy that fell early Wednesday morning.

According to the Milwaukee Police Department, officers saw a vehicle traveling at high speeds near W. Greenfield Ave and S. 19th St. which reportedly led to a pursuit after the vehicle fled a traffic stop for running a red light.

Officials said the vehicle continued at those high speeds before it crashed into a building, resulting in the deaths of two passengers.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victims as 20-year-old Haley Fehrenbach and 28-year-old Kyra Johnson. 

The driver remains at large. 

Now, neighbors are left to pick up the pieces that remain from the deadly crash.

"It was horrendous. It was terrifying," said Rickey Thomas, who lives across the street. "This was unnecessary."

Thomas told CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White he heard "a big boom" before he looked out his window and saw all of the damage.

But, according to Thomas, sights like Wednesday's are unfortunately common, which is why he decided to put up a sign on the surrounding sidewalk nearly four months ago, which reads: "Slow your ride. Don't lose your life in a blink of an eye."

"This is the result, and it's tragic," Thomas said. "Nobody cares."

The building that the driver crashed into has been owned by Mickell Daniels since 2019, and serves as the base for her business, GLOW414 -- an organization that helps thousands of at-risk and/or disadvantaged girls and women in Milwaukee ages 11 through 22.

“This my baby, this my passion, this is a building to many," Daniels said. “I was just shaking my head, like I can’t believe it.”

Daniels said when she first arrived on the scene, her heart broke for the families affected, as it reminded her of her brother who she lost just weeks ago in a similar accident.

“I instantly just thought about the families because I know the pain that we still are going through, my mom and my family and I," Daniels said. “He was shot, and he was running like he was in the car trying to get away, and he crashed and light poles were knocked down, so it instantly reminded me of that.”

As Daniels walks through the debris and rubble, she said she hopes the families can find peace and keep their loved one's names alive.

“That’s who we serve is, it hit me in that way. That’s why I couldn’t be mad about the building that long, I instantly thought about the families because that’s our target that is the 20-year-old," Daniels said. “It was two females, we are a female organization, if they want to link with GLOW414, and we do something in their memory of, just let me know, just reach out."

She is now working to rebuild as soon as possible to continue helping girls in Wisconsin. 

If you want to donate, click here or visit the GoFundMe here. 

Police are actively seeking the driver and encourage anyone with information to contact them at (414) 935-7360 or Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS for those seeking to offer anonymous tips.