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Drunk valet driver fatal crash; Milwaukee man pleads guilty

C.Kim28 min ago

Marquette University police were called to the scene around 11:45 p.m. on July 3. Officers found a white Toyota, which was rolled onto its side, and a blue Hyundai. Both sustained significant damage.

Gomez, since identified as the driver and sole occupant of the Toyota, was extricated from the wreck. The driver of the Hyundai was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene, a criminal complaint states.

Surveillance video

Surveillance video showed the Toyota speeding west down Wisconsin Avenue before the crash.

The complaint states the Toyota drove in the bus lane and ran a red light at 10th Street before running the red light at 11th Street and slamming into the front driver's side of the Hyundai.

The video showed the Hyundai driver getting ejected, and the Toyota hitting a pole before rolling over. The medical examiner's office later identified the victim as 29-year-old Michael David Starks.

Valeted car missing

Police went to a downtown hotel near Phillips and Wells and spoke to a person who identified Gomez as a valet driver there. That person, according to the complaint, said one of the vehicles that the valet service was in charge of was missing that night during Gomez's shift.

A hotel guest identified the Toyota involved in the wreck as her rental car, per the complaint.

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Gomez in custody

Once in custody, Gomez told police he worked as a valet at the hotel and took the Toyota that night. He also said he was drinking before the crash and was intoxicated behind the wheel.

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