MILWAUKEE — Three people are dead and another person is injured after a car crash in Milwaukee Thursday morning, according to the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD). 

What You Need To Know

  • Three people are dead and another is injured after a car crash in Milwaukee Thursday morning

  • Police said the car was traveling east on Oklahoma at high speeds when it lost control and collided with two parked cars

  • The driver, Justin Reinke, 22-years-old, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two passengers — Jason Jankowski, 20, and Helena Christensen, 22 — were also pronounced dead at the scene

  • A third passenger was taken to the hospital with serious injuries

  • The city of Milwaukee has been dealing with reckless driving concerns for years

MPD said a white BMW was traveling east on Oklahoma at a high speed. The driver then lost control of the car and collided with two parked cars.

MPD said there were four people in the car.  

The driver, Justin Reinke, 22-years-old, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two passengers — Jason Jankowski, 20, and Helena Christensen, 22 — were also pronounced dead at the scene. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the names and ages of the three deceased people. MPD previously reported incorrect ages for the passengers who were killed. 

A third passenger was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. 

Alderman Peter Burgelis said he thinks the police department doesn’t have enough protection for the area.

“Unfortunately, the Milwaukee Police Department hasn’t been able to allocate appropriate resources from District 6 to adequately patrol the area. The 11th Aldermanic District encompasses one squad zone that includes approximately 42,000 residents. That ONE SQUAD per 42,000 people is clearly less protection than residents deserve!

“Can you imagine West Allis or Wauwatosa being protected by one or two police officers? Although the 11th District has the lowest crime rate of the entire city, reckless driving and public safety remain concerns just as they do throughout the entire city. The southwest side pays far too much in property taxes to have far too little police protection. We must continue to examine all possible areas of improvement to combat reckless driving and keep our communities safe. Our residents deserve as much,” Burgelis wrote in a statement.

In November of last year, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson signed a resolution to crack down on reckless driving. It followed a May 2023 legislation signed by Gov. Tony Evers that increased fines for reckless driving and subsequent offenses. Under the law, the maximum penalty for the first offense is $400; the maximum for a second offense is $1,000.

Reckless driving has been an issue in Milwaukee in recent years. In April 2024, a 4-year-old was killed and her 27-year-old mother injured after a man hit them as they were crossing the street. The man fled the scene and is now being charged.

Police said the investigation into Thursday’s crash is ongoing and anyone with information should call MPD at (414) 935-7360. To remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-Tips or P3 Tips.

Related Stories