Left inset: William Lee (Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: Elaine Corbitt (GoFundMe). Background: The car that William Lee obliterated in Milwaukee, Wis., while riding with slain mother of five Elaine Corbitt (WISN/YouTube).
In Wisconsin, a tragic accident claimed the life of a Milwaukee mother of five. She was in the front seat of a car driven by an intoxicated driver who crashed into a tree at nearly 100 mph, despite the speed limit being just 25 mph. The impact resulted in fatal injuries to her head, neck, chest, and pelvis, leaving her dead at the scene.
William Lee, aged 60, faces a charge of first-degree reckless homicide for the death of 41-year-old Elaine Corbitt. The incident occurred on January 13 near 93rd Street and Wilbur Avenue after an evening of drinking, according to court documents sourced by NBC affiliate WTMJ.
Law enforcement reports reveal that Lee confessed to consuming multiple beers and failed a field sobriety test. Data from his vehicle indicated he was driving at 98.8 mph just before the collision with the tree, as per the court papers.
Investigators noted that Lee did not attempt to brake and instead maintained full throttle, contributing to the severity of the crash.
A heartfelt GoFundMe page created for Corbitt’s family describes her as a loving mother, devoted to her children and known for her vibrant spirit. Her untimely death has left an irreplaceable void in her family’s lives.
The area of the crash, with a speed limit set at 25 mph, bore witness to the devastating accident. A trail of debris extended for nearly a block, guiding officers to the scene, reported by CBS affiliate WDJT.
The hood of Lee’s car was allegedly found about 115 feet away from the vehicle in the backyard of a residence. A home that was around 75 feet away was also struck by parts of the car, cops say.
Lee was taken to a hospital for assessment after the crash and charged soon after.
A witness who spoke to cops allegedly recounted seeing Lee’s car speeding down the road and almost striking them and other motorists. Drivers passing by at the time of the crash said the impact sent Lee’s vehicle flying backward before it caught on fire.
“This is called a lesson for the city and it’s a lesson for all the drivers out there,” Corbitt’s brother, Michael Corbitt, told WDJT. “It’s sad that we had to tragically lose our sister,” he said. “I didn’t think I would lose her like this. I didn’t think we would lose our baby sister to a horrific car accident.”
