A 17-year-old high school student was killed and a 19-year-old has been arrested for alleged homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle in connection with a three-vehicle crash Monday evening in the City of Waukesha.
At 7:25 p.m., the 19-year-old was traveling at a high rate of speed on East Sunset Drive and failed to stop at the stop sign at Guthrie Road, striking two other vehicles, according to a news release from the Waukesha Police Department.
The department's preliminary investigation indicates the 19-year-old driver showed signs of impairment. The driver was taken into custody for allegedly operating while intoxicated and will likely face a charge of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle.
Police did not immediately provide any other information about the 19-year-old.
The 17-year-old was taken to Froedtert Hospital via Flight for Life, but was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
The 17-year-old has been identified as Megan Voss, according to family members, her school district and a GoFundMe page created by extended family members to raise funds to cover medical and funeral expenses.
Megan Voss remembered as 'a light to all who knew her'
Voss, a senior at Waukesha West, was a high honors student with a 4.0 GPA and big dreams of helping others, Abigail Voss, Megan's cousin, wrote on the GoFundMe page's description.
Megan was set to graduate from West in 2025 and had received a scholarship to attend Grand Canyon University, a private Christian college in Arizona, to study nursing in the hopes of one day becoming a doctor, according to the GoFundMe.
"If you ever met Megan then you know she had the biggest smile ever," Abigail wrote. "She was a light to all who knew her."
She had many friends who loved her dearly, according to several social media posts from friends remembering her.
Many of them held a memorial for her on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at her Waukesha West High School parking spot, including classmate Trianna Wenzel.
Wenzel met Megan during their freshman year at Waukesha West, and the two grew closer over the course of high school, attending every every Friday night football game together and dressing all out for each theme, Wenzel said.
This past summer, Megan, Wenzel and several other friends made a bucket list.
Some of Wenzel's favorite memories with Megan were made that summer, trying new coffee shops in downtown Waukesha, hiking the Seven Bridges Trail, gazing at the northern lights and hosting bonfires.
One of those bucket list items was to go prom dress shopping during the second semester of their senior year.
Wenzel said that while not everyone may have known her well, "Everyone would say that she's the kindest human being that they've ever met. Her smile was very infectious and she would light up everyone's day."
"She was the soul of our senior class and her presence will be missed by everybody," she said. "I just want everybody to know that Megan Voss was our light in the darkness and that she will be missed by everyone."
On Tuesday afternoon, Waukesha West Principal Taheréh DeLeón sent a letter to students and staff members:
"Megan Voss was a beloved member of our school community, and she will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her," DeLeón wrote. "She brought positivity, enthusiasm, and kindness to our school, and she will be remembered fondly by all."
During her time at Waukesha West, Megan participated in many clubs and activities, including cheerleading, the Random Acts of Kindness Club and the Bible Club, DeLeón wrote.
"Additionally, as an avid student, Megan excelled in independently preparing for her future in the healthcare field and was doing exceptionally well in her co-op program," she wrote.
The school district has a team of student services professionals trained to help students, parents and school personnel at difficult times such as this, DeLeón said. Those professionals will be available when students return to school on Thursday.
Others injured in crash, as was the Voss family's dog
Others in the crash suffered injuries that were not life-threatening. They were treated at the hospital and later released, police said.
Also injured was the Voss family's dog, Bleu, who sustained severe injuries, according to the GoFundMe page.
The Waukesha Police Major Crash Task Force, with assistance from the Wisconsin State Patrol Traffic Reconstruction Unit, are investigating the crash.
"The loss of a young life is devastating, and our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the victim," police said in the release.
"Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is dangerous and irresponsible and we will continue to aggressively pursue justice for the victim in this case."