NEENAH, Wis. (WBAY/Gray News) – Police in Wisconsin are continuing to investigate a deadly crash that led them to a baby who was left alone in a nearby apartment that was filled with smoke.
Neenah police said a driver, later identified as 22-year-old Justin Hartjes, died after hitting a tree late Saturday night.
According to police, the child was in his care and found inside their apartment which was filled with smoke from food burning in the oven that was left on.
The baby wasn’t injured in the ordeal but the child has since been placed in the care of relatives.
A witness told police that Hartjes was traveling as fast as 80 mph that night before hitting the tree on South Park Ave.
The 22-year-old driver was pulled from his vehicle that caught fire but he did not survive.
Police said they thought the baby was initially in the car with Hartjes, but when they couldn’t find the child, officers then went to the apartment.
The crash site has been turned into a memorial with friends and family leaving items at the base of the tree in Hartjes’ memory.
Neenah police said Saturday night’s events remain under investigation.
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