Driver arrested in crash with Uber car had record

The 23-year-old man who turned himself in Monday after fleeing the scene of the fatal Uber crash that killed three women in Milwaukee early Sunday had a previous conviction for drunken driving, according to court records.

Jasen Randhawa of Mequon was being held in the Milwaukee County Jail on Tuesday pending charges.

In January 2015, Randhawa was arrested for operating while intoxicated. His license was revoked Aug. 5, 2015, and 10 days later he was caught pulling out of his driveway, leading to a charge in Ozaukee County for operating a vehicle with a revoked license. The Ozaukee County case was closed after Randhawa paid a $579 fine.

In May 2016, Randhawa started operating his father's company, JR Gas and Convenience Store LLC, 2008 W. Center St. He appeared before the Milwaukee Common Council on May 10 to ask to keep the store's extended hours in place.

During the meeting, Ald. Russell Stamper asked Randhawa, "Do you still drink?"

Randhawa responded: "If I was to drink, I would make sure I'm not getting behind the wheel."

Driver in fatal Uber crash turns himself in

Vince Bobot, a lawyer who represented Randhawa before the city licensing committee, said Tuesday that Randhawa's father called him about 11 a.m. on Sunday and said the police wanted to talk with his son about a traffic accident.

"I advised that he should turn himself in," Bobot said. "I think it's good that he did."

Bobot said he did not know details of the circumstances of the crash, has not talked to Randhawa and has not been retained to represent him in the criminal investigation.

About 3 a.m. Sunday, a 2015 Lexus R350 ran a red light on southbound N. 2nd and W. Clybourn streets and struck the Uber vehicle. Randhawa and the passenger in the Lexus fled on foot. Police have not released further information on the Lexus passenger.

The three women who were killed while riding in the Uber car were identified by the Milwaukee County medical examiner’s office Monday as Amy C. Taylor, 32; Ashley L. Sawatzke, 30; and Lindsey B. Cohen, 35, all of Chicago. They were not wearing seatbelts.

According to the medical examiner's report, Sawatzke, Taylor and Cohen were riding in an Uber car to the Third Ward's Kimpton Journeyman Hotel, where they planned to stay for the night.

The three friends worked together in Chicago at an advertising agency, Energy BBDO, for a couple of years, before Sawatzke left to work for Leo Burnett about four months ago. They were in Milwaukee on a personal trip, not business, a spokesperson for Energy BBDO confirmed.

"We are absolutely devastated by the loss of these three incredible, exuberant young women who were taken from us far too soon," Energy BBDO said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones at this tragic moment. The grief of their absence is felt deeply across our Energy BBDO family."

Sawatzke grew up in Menomonee Falls and graduated from Divine Savior Holy Angels High School. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor's degree in journalism-strategic communication and a certificate in business in 2009.

"Ashley was a bright and engaged young woman who always brought an upbeat energy to my class," said Katy Culver, assistant professor in the School of Journalism & Mass Communication and director of the Center for Journalism Ethics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

"I really have no words for what this loss must mean to everyone in her life," Culver said. "What a shocking and devastating moment."

News of Sawatzke's death was still reaching the DSHA school community and members of the Class of 2005 Monday afternoon.

"Obviously, we are devastated," said Stephanie Chadek, DSHA's marketing and graphic design associate.

Cohen, whose family lives in Ohio, studied communications at Boston University. She worked at Ogilvy & Mather in Los Angeles before moving to Chicago in 2012.

Taylor's family also lives in Ohio. She studied at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and worked in California for a few years before moving to Chicago.

According to social media posts, the 41-year-old Uber driver is Tim Snyder, who was undergoing treatment for cracked ribs and vertebrae and damage to his aorta, which caused internal bleeding.

A friend of Snyder and his wife started a Go Fund Me page to raise money for his "immediate lost income, medical bills and other expenses incurred due to this accident."

As of Tuesday night, more than $6,000 had been raised for his medical expenses. Friends, fellow Uber drivers and others left messages of encouragement on the Go Fund Me site.

Journal Sentinel reporter Bruce Vielmetti contributed to this report.