Milwaukee police chase and crash; light pole, parking meters hit, man charged

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MILWAUKEE – A Milwaukee man has been criminally charged in connection with a police chase that ended in a crash on Monday, October 7. The vehicle involved was stolen. Prosecutors say Omega Merchant, 23, fled a traffic stop at speeds exceeding 100 mph. The pursuit ended in an accident.

According to the criminal complaint, at approximately 11:22 p.m., officers were traveling southbound on S. 6th Street, approaching W. Orchard Street, when they spotted a gray 2019 Infiniti Q50 with no front license plate and no Replacement tint applied to side windows.

The officers turned around and attempted to catch up with the Infiniti and conduct a traffic stop. At that point, officers say the driver, later identified as Omega Merchant, accelerated northbound and drove around a vehicle stopped at a red light.

The complaint says the officer continued north on S. 6th Street past W. Greenfield Avenue, attempting to catch up with the Infiniti as the vehicle accelerated north, traveling about 80 mph in the 30 mph zone at approaching the S. Baroga Street stop sign. . The Infiniti then drove through a stop sign at more than 80 mph and continued to accelerate northbound, approaching the red light at W. Washington Street.

13th and Wells, Milwaukee

According to the complaint, the Infiniti then ran a red light on W. Washington Street at approximately 90 mph in a 30 mph zone.

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As the Infiniti reached the area of ​​13th and Wells, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to skid sideways where it struck several parking meters before colliding with a light pole, cutting the Infiniti in two , according to the complaint.

Following the crash, debris and parking meters struck several vehicles in the nearby parking lot.

Following the accident, officers searched Merchant and found a clear plastic bag cut into one corner containing a white rock substance suspected to be crack cocaine, as well as a black functional digital gram scale. He was taken to Froedtert Hospital for medical examination.

A check of the gray 2019 Infiniti Q50 revealed that it had been stolen.

According to the complaint, a download of the vehicle’s airbag control unit revealed that the Infiniti was traveling 104 mph 1.5 seconds before the collision.

Omega Merchant faces the following charges:

• First degree recklessly endangering safety
• Four counts against driver of vehicle fleeing/eluding officer causing property damage
• Possession with intent to deliver

Merchant is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 22 for his preliminary hearing.