Zekani Hymes-Wilson : “Milwaukee Hit-and-Run Tragedy: Girl Laid to Rest”

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MILWAUKEE – The tragic incident involving a young girl in Milwaukee who lost her life in a hit-and-run in April came to a sorrowful conclusion as she was laid to rest on Saturday, May 25.

A touching tribute was paid to 4-year-old Zekani Hymes-Wilson, as a group of motorcyclists solemnly escorted her body from the funeral home to Grace United Church of Christ on Sherman Boulevard.

The heartbreaking incident occurred when Hymes-Wilson and her mother, Gloria Hymes, were crossing the street near Teutonia and Vera on April 30, leading to the young girl’s untimely death and her mother sustaining serious injuries.

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Case details

Authorities have charged Donald Crayton, identified as the mother’s partner, in connection with the hit-and-run. Adriana Merkel, 21, is also facing charges related to the incident.

Footage from the scene captured a man and a passenger stopping to check on the victims before the man hurriedly returned to his vehicle and fled the scene. The passenger was identified as Crayton’s sister.

Following the fatal hit-and-run, law enforcement discovered Crayton’s damaged vehicle abandoned on train tracks on Calumet between 81st and 87th streets. Crayton and Merkel were apprehended later that evening after allegedly engaging in a high-speed pursuit and crashing at 72nd and North in Wauwatosa. Merkel admitted to investigators that she is also romantically involved with Crayton.

Legal records indicate that Crayton was previously convicted of causing a fatal collision in 2018. He served a 10-month sentence in prison and was subsequently placed on three years’ probation in 2019. The criminal complaint lodged against him in the fatal hit-and-run case reveals a history of traffic offences dating back to at least 2015, with Crayton never holding a valid driver’s licence.