Fatal crash caused by drunken clerk; Marco Gomez sentenced to 15 years in prison

MILWAUKEE – A Milwaukee County judge sentenced Marco Gomez on Friday, October 25, to 15 years in prison plus an additional 10 years of extended supervision in connection with a fatal crash in downtown Milwaukee in July 2024. Gomez is the parking driver accused of driving a car from hotel guest, driving drunk and causing that accident.

Gomez reached a settlement in his case in September. Court records show 23-year-old Marco Gomez pleaded guilty to amended charges of second-degree reckless homicide and homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. Charges of knowingly operating without a valid driver’s license and operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent were dismissed and read into the case file for sentencing.

During Friday’s sentencing hearing, both the family and Gomez had the opportunity to speak to the court.

“You should be ashamed. You’re going to pay for that in prison. But your sentence is long enough to take a life, you should serve the whole life,” said Vickie Cole, the victim’s aunt.

“I am truly sorry for what I did and I pray every day that the victim’s family can find compassion and forgiveness for my actions,” Gomez said. “I cannot fathom in my heart the pain and hurt you are going through.”

11th and Wisconsin crash

Marquette University police were called to the scene on July 3 around 11:45 p.m. Officers found a white Toyota, which had rolled on its side, and a blue Hyundai. Both suffered significant damage.

Gomez, since identified as the driver and sole occupant of the Toyota, was freed from the wreckage. The driver of the Hyundai was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene, according to a criminal complaint.

Surveillance video

Surveillance footage showed the Toyota traveling westbound on Wisconsin Avenue before the crash.

The complaint states that the Toyota entered the bus lane and ran a red light at 10th Street before running a red light at 11th Street and striking the front driver’s side of the Hyundai.

The video showed the Hyundai driver being ejected and the Toyota hitting a pole before rolling over. The medical examiner’s office later identified the victim as 29-year-old Michael Starks.

Valet car missing

Police went to a downtown hotel near Phillips and Wells and spoke with a person there who identified Gomez as a valet driver. That person said one of the vehicles the valet service was in charge of went missing that night while on Gomez’s shift, according to the complaint.

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According to the complaint, a hotel guest identified the Toyota involved in the wreck as her rental car.

Gomez in custody

Once in custody, Gomez told police he worked as a clerk at the hotel and had taken the Toyota that night. He also said he had been drinking and driving drunk before the crash.

Gomes was originally charged with first-degree reckless homicide.