A tragic hit-and-run incident in Milwaukee has left a 90-year-old man dead, and authorities have arrested the driver responsible. Raul Herrera, 41, was taken into custody last week after allegedly striking Roberto Deleon while driving recklessly and then fleeing the scene.
The Incident
On the evening of May 10, 2025, officers from the Milwaukee Police Department responded to multiple emergency calls reporting a pedestrian had been hit by a speeding vehicle on South 35th Street. One caller described the victim’s injuries as severe, saying the man’s head was “cracked open.” Another caller, who said she was a passenger in the car that struck the pedestrian, reported that the driver refused to stop, forcing her to jump out of the moving vehicle to seek help.
When emergency responders arrived, they found Roberto Deleon seriously injured. Despite their efforts to save him, Deleon was pronounced dead at the scene.
Details from the Investigation
An autopsy later confirmed Deleon died from blunt force injuries consistent with being hit by a vehicle, including head trauma, brain bleeding, and fractured ribs.
Police quickly focused on Raul Herrera after a witness who was in the car during the crash identified him in a photo lineup. The witness told investigators that earlier that evening, the group had been out together at a Mexican restaurant and a local bar, drinking before Herrera drove the car—a red 2002 Ford Mustang convertible.
According to the witness, Herrera was driving dangerously fast and recklessly that night. When she expressed concern about his speed, Herrera responded with profanity and continued to drive erratically. The witness recalled that she heard Herrera yell “OH S—!” right before the crash and realized he had hit someone.
Despite her pleas for Herrera to stop, he continued driving, showing no intention of pulling over. Eventually, the passenger jumped out of the moving car to get help while Herrera fled the scene.
Aftermath and Charges
Investigators later found the Mustang with a large hole in the windshield and discovered broken glass with what appeared to be human hair inside the vehicle. Herrera was located nearby, and police observed him discarding an empty beer can on the ground.
Herrera admitted to driving after consuming alcohol and smoking marijuana. He now faces a felony charge of hit-and-run causing death and remains held on a $120,000 bond at the Milwaukee County Jail.
Community Impact
This heartbreaking event serves as a reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and impaired operation of vehicles. Roberto Deleon’s family and community are mourning the loss of a beloved elder, while authorities pursue justice in this case.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is encouraged to contact Milwaukee Police.
This article was prepared to inform the community with clarity and respect, highlighting the serious consequences of impaired and reckless driving.
“This article was written by Mathew Owen. AI tools were used lightly for grammar and formatting, but the ideas, words, and edits are all mine.”