Man Charged After Plowing Into Waukesha Christmas Parade That Killed 6 People
Six people have died and 62 were injured after a driver sped his car into the crowd at a Christmas parade Sunday evening.
The incident happened around 4:39 pm in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Video footage shows a red SUV blazing down the roadway and plowing into a marching band.
Police has identified 39-year old Darrell E. Brooks, Jr. as the driver of the SUV. Authorities say Brooks faces five counts of first-degree intentional homicide, with additional charges based on the investigation.
According to reports, Brooks had been released from jail less than two weeks ago in a domestic abuse case, on a $1,000 bail that prosecutors recommended but now they’re saying it was “inappropriately low.”
The charges stemmed from a November 2 incident in which Brooks is accused of running over a woman with his car while she was walking through a gas station parking lot, according to a criminal complaint.
Police say they believe Brooks was fleeing a nearby ‘domestic incident’ when he sped into the Waukesha crowd. The clarified that no officers were chasing him.
Brooks had his first court appearance Tuesday and is being held in custody on a $5 million bond.
The five victims who were killed were initially identified on Monday as Virginia Sorenson, 79, LeAnna Owen, 71, Tamara Durand, 52, Jane Kulich, 42, and Wilhelm Hospel, 81.
On Tuesday, a sixth victim passed away — 8-year old Jackson Sparks. Jackson’s 12-year old brother, Tucker, was among the 18 children that were hospitalized after the incident.
Sending prayers to the victims and families affected by this incident.
