Milwaukee Teen Sentenced for Fatal Hit-and-Run Incident
Milwaukee, WI — A 16-year-old boy was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in a hit-and-run accident that resulted in the tragic death of a 47-year-old Oshkosh woman. Jayden Adams, who was only 13 at the time of the incident, pleaded guilty to second-degree reckless homicide and forcefully taking a vehicle without consent.
The Incident
The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on October 14, 2021, near a Holiday Inn Express hotel in Wauwatosa. According to court documents, Adams was with a group of teenagers attempting to steal a vehicle when Sunita Balogun-Olayiwola, who was deaf and non-verbal, confronted them in an effort to deter the theft. In a tragic turn of events, Adams jumped into the driver’s seat of Balogun-Olayiwola’s car, and as he reversed, she was struck and killed.
After the incident, Adams and the other teenagers fled the scene in Balogun-Olayiwola’s vehicle. While Adams was charged as an adult, the other three involved were remanded to juvenile court.
Sentencing and Statements
At his sentencing on June 18, Adams expressed remorse for his actions. “I am sincerely sorry for the damage I have done to the victim’s family,” he stated, acknowledging the irreversible consequences of his thoughtlessness. He was sentenced to a combination of confinement in a juvenile facility and subsequent imprisonment, along with 10 years of extended supervision upon release.
Adams’ defense attorneys urged the judge to consider his youth and personal growth during the over three years he spent in custody. They highlighted remarkable achievements, such as excelling academically in detention and advocating for fellow youth facing similar legal challenges.
Remembering the Victim
Balogun-Olayiwola’s family recounted her as a vibrant and strong woman who migrated from Nigeria to provide a better life for her daughters. Her brother described her effort to confront the teenagers as an act of courage rather than hostility. “She was trying to help them through a situation, which caused her death,” he remarked. The family emphasized their faith, offering forgiveness to Adams while grappling with the pain of their loss.
Closing Remarks from the Court
In delivering the sentence, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge David Swanson reflected on the challenges of the state’s correctional system, noting its lack of investment in youth rehabilitation. He mandated that Adams write a letter of apology to Balogun-Olayiwola’s family, marking a somber conclusion to a case that has stirred significant emotion within the community.
As this story develops, legal experts and community advocates continue to discuss the implications of automatic adult charging for minors in Wisconsin, prompting calls for reform within the juvenile justice system.
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