Tanisha L. Warren Obituary, Death – A tragic wrong-way crash on Interstate 43 in Milwaukee this past weekend has led to the deaths of three individuals. Tanisha L. Warren, 31, was in the back seat of a rented 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, which was involved in the crash. She passed away at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, as confirmed by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Two others in the Malibu, Lonnie E. Burke and Aldriana L. Givens, both 29, died at the scene. The incident occurred early Saturday morning, around 5 a.m., when the Malibu, driven by Burke, entered I-43 northbound in the wrong direction, heading southbound. According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office’s investigation report released Monday, the Malibu was traveling alongside a dark-colored SUV, both vehicles entering the highway in the wrong direction at Plankinton Avenue.
Givens, who was in the front passenger seat, and Burke were likely unaware of the dangerous position they had placed themselves in, as the SUV, traveling at a slower speed than the Malibu, made an attempt to leave the freeway near National Avenue. The SUV turned around to head back and exited the highway. However, the Malibu continued traveling southbound, forcing a northbound vehicle approaching the scene to swerve in an attempt to avoid it. This caused the northbound vehicle to collide with another, and both vehicles came to a stop just north of National Avenue. Despite the collisions, the Malibu continued its southbound path, eventually colliding head-on with a 2011 Volvo XC60 SUV traveling north.
The crash involving the Malibu and the Volvo was severe, but fortunately, the occupants of the Volvo—an adult driver and a child passenger—only sustained non-life-threatening injuries. However, the crash claimed the lives of the three occupants of the Malibu, making it a tragic and devastating event.
Upon further investigation, authorities discovered evidence that may have contributed to the crash. A large baggie containing what appeared to be illicit substances—white rocks, white powder, and grey rocks—was found inside the Malibu, along with a foil package of marijuana. This raised questions about whether drugs may have played a role in the crash, though investigators have not made any official conclusions as to the exact cause of the accident.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department is continuing its investigation into the incident, which has further underscored concerns about road safety and the dangers of impaired driving.
This crash is the latest in a troubling trend of road fatalities in Milwaukee County, which has experienced an alarming number of fatal crashes over the past year. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, there were 90 fatalities on Milwaukee County roads in 2024, just one less than the previous year, which saw 91 road deaths. These numbers highlight a persistent and ongoing issue with road safety, with many fatalities being preventable through safer driving practices.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of impaired driving and the devastating consequences it can have on families and communities. The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office continues to encourage the public to drive responsibly and follow traffic laws in an effort to reduce fatalities and accidents on the road.
As the investigation into the crash continues, officials have not ruled out any possible contributing factors, including impaired or distracted driving. While the investigation is still ongoing, authorities have urged anyone with information related to the incident to come forward to assist in the case. This incident, which has claimed three lives, serves as a tragic reminder of how quickly a seemingly ordinary moment on the road can turn deadly.
Milwaukee residents are encouraged to exercise caution on the roads and avoid any behavior that may impair their ability to drive safely. The families of the victims in this case, along with many others affected by similar accidents, are left to grapple with the aftermath of a tragedy that could have been prevented with more careful driving.