Reckless Driving crash Allegedly Leaves Woman Paralyzed

In a heart-wrenching incident in Milwaukee, two men, Alfredo Acosta and Dixon Udiel Mendoza-Espinoza, have been charged in connection with a crash that allegedly left a woman paralyzed. The crash took place near Layton and Burnham on the early morning of October 27.

Acosta, aged 27, faces serious charges including reckless driving causing great bodily harm and knowingly operating a vehicle while his license was suspended. Meanwhile, 29-year-old Mendoza-Espinoza is charged with injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, both leading to significant harm.

According to the criminal complaint, police responded to the two-car collision around 5:55 a.m. and found Acosta behind the wheel of a severely damaged 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Surveillance footage reportedly captured him speeding and running a red light before the crash. Tragically, a passenger in Acosta’s vehicle, referred to as RLE in the complaint, suffered extensive injuries, including a fractured sternum and paralysis from the neck down.

As for Mendoza-Espinoza, he was driving a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox and exhibited clear signs of intoxication, with officers noting the smell of alcohol and difficulty speaking. He admitted to consuming multiple drinks before getting behind the wheel. This reckless behavior not only endangered his life but also severely impacted the lives of others.

Both men are set to appear in court on November 7, 2024, with bail set at $2,000 for Acosta and $2,500 for Mendoza-Espinoza. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and the devastating consequences that can arise from such actions.