Through tears and memories, victims and loved ones who’ve been impacted by road traffic violence gathered on the first floor of Century City Tower, 4201 N. 27th St., in Milwaukee on Nov. 15. 

They were there to share stories and find both solidarity and healing during a vigil for the World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Road Traffic Violence. 

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The third annual vigil was hosted by the Coalition for Safe Driving MKE, a grassroots community group that advocates to make Milwaukee’s streets and roads safe. 

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson implored those in attendance to call their state officials to pass Senate Bill 375, which would allow the City of Milwaukee to implement up to 75 traffic light cameras. 

Johnson said the cameras would be “another tool in the tool belt” to help curb reckless driving in the city. 

Johnson also talked about the Vision Zero Action Plan, a roadmap to eliminating traffic deaths by 2037. 

The event included a community vigil, quiet rooms for healing and reflection, a quilt-making to honor the victims, and resources for families and survivors.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson huddles with attendees to talk about what’s being done to address reckless driving in the city.
People who have lost loved ones to road traffic violence stand up during a vigil.
Karen and Steve Handrich, Chloe Handrich’s parents, fight back tears as they listen to their daughter talk about the night she was severely injured by a driver.
Chloe Handrich talks about the night she was severely injured from road traffic violence. Handrich and another woman, Sam Zganjar, were crossing Water Street when a car crashed into them after blowing through a barricade.
Martha Dunmore speaks about her daughters, De-Lisha and Talise Dunmore, who were victims of road traffic violence. Talise was killed and De-Lisha was injured in a hit-and-run.
An attendee holds a candle during a vigil and day of remembrance for victims of road traffic violence.
Camille Mays plays singing bowls
An eternal rose sits on a counter during a vigil and day of remembrance for victims of road traffic violence. The roses were passed out to victims and families of loved ones who were killed.
Jasmine Knowles speaks about her partner, Tyron Henry, a father of three children who was killed while riding his motorcycle in September.
Danitra Jones and Jerusa Johnson read off the names of the people killed in road traffic violence.
Mykeda Smith holds an eternal rose.
Sheadrean Blanks holds a photograph of her daughter, Keiairra Travis. Travis was out with her twin sister, Kieanna Travis, to celebrate their upcoming 26th birthdays when she was killed in a hit-and-run.
Shequila Morrison wipes away tears as Kendra Sellers’ name is read off a list of victims. Sellers was killed in a hit-and-run crash in August.
Attendees of the vigil look at a quilt made with patches from last year’s World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Road Traffic Violence.
An attendee rests their hand on the back of another during the vigil.

Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is supported through a partnership between CatchLight Local and Report for America.

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Jonathan Aguilar is a photojournalist as well as a Report for America corps member and Catchlight Local fellow. Before coming to Milwaukee, he spent two years as a photographer at one of America’s oldest daily newspapers, The Blade, in Toledo, Ohio. Aguilar grew up in the Chicago suburbs. He earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from DePaul University and his master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism.