The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: April 09, 2025
Today: April 09, 2025

Milwaukee man who killed pregnant woman, her unborn child in crash sentenced to 14 years in prison

Milwaukee man who killed pregnant woman, her unborn child in crash sentenced to 14 years in prison
September 20, 2024
Jenna Wells - WDJT

    MILWAUKEE (WDJT) -- A 19-year-old Milwaukee man is going to prison after a reckless crash that killed a pregnant woman earlier this year.

Akol Riak will spend 14 years in prison for killing 32-year-old Monique Stewart and her unborn baby in a car crash. She was eight months pregnant at the time.

The crash happened Jan. 7 at Brown Deer Road and Servite Drive. Stewart was the passenger in a car turning left, when Riak hit them at a high rate of speed.

The posted speed limit was 40 mph. Police believe Riak was going over 80 mph. Stewart and her baby died, and other family members in the car were injured.

"It's an incredibly tragic event, and it was totally avoidable," said prosecuting attorney Ian Vance-Curzan. "He made a decision to go that fast, and that reckless decision killed two people and has forever destroyed a family."

Riak was found guilty of first and second-degree reckless homicide, among other charges, by a jury this summer.

Several of Stewart's family members spoke at the sentencing, saying they truly forgive Riak for what he did -- but they hope a lesson is learned by this.

"We just wanted to hold him accountable so that other people realize you can't go 80, 90 miles-an-hour, because you affect people's lives," said Anita Garrett, Stewart's aunt.

Riak had no prior criminal or trial offenses and several character letters from friends and family. The judge took that into account when imposing the 14-year prison sentence.

Judge Jeffrey Wagner asked Riak to deliver a message to other potential reckless drivers.

"It may be a choice that you regret for the rest of your life," Riak said.

Stewart's family hopes that message will resonate.

"Wherever they're going, they can slow down. There's nothing that important for you to take a life," Garrett said.

Stewart's aunt spoke with Riak's mother after he was sentenced, offering forgiveness.

She told CBS 58, while she lost her niece due to his actions, Riak's mother essentially lost her son.

Related Articles

Prosecutors to argue life sentence for โ€œChiefsaholicโ€ bank robber Protesters demanding greater accountability march in North Macedonia over deadly nightclub fire Man convicted after discovery of fentanyl stash enough for 41,000 fatal overdoses Man found dead with woman's decomposed body in Queens home, sources say
Share This

Popular

Crime|Education|US

Drunk man arrested for walking through Florida high school school campus

Drunk man arrested for walking through Florida high school school campus
Business|Crime|Lifestyle|US

'I can't stop': Kentucky tattoo shop owner in the throes of flood recovery

'I can't stop': Kentucky tattoo shop owner in the throes of flood recovery
Americas|Crime|US|World

Inside the Salvadoran mega-prison where US deportees live

Inside the Salvadoran mega-prison where US deportees live
Business|Crime|Lifestyle|US

Investigators, pet crematory working to identify whether pets' ashes are legit

Investigators, pet crematory working to identify whether pets' ashes are legit

Crime

Business|Crime|Entertainment|US

Jon Hamm steals expensive stuff and likely viewers' hearts in Apple TV+'s 'Your Friends & Neighbors'

Jon Hamm steals expensive stuff and likely viewers' hearts in Apple TV+'s 'Your Friends & Neighbors'
Crime|Food|US

Customers brutally attack Chicago waitress in dispute over bill after complaint about taste of food

Customers brutally attack Chicago waitress in dispute over bill after complaint about taste of food
Americas|Crime|Entertainment|Political|Sports|World

Roof collapse at Dominican club kills at least 113 as officials scramble to identify victims

Roof collapse at Dominican club kills at least 113 as officials scramble to identify victims
Crime|Health|US

Utah woman who survived gunshot to head 8 years ago now in hospice care

Utah woman who survived gunshot to head 8 years ago now in hospice care

Access this article for free.

Already have an account? Sign In