Fatal accident while intoxicated; 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 ten years of extended supervision in connection with a fatal crash in downtown Milwaukee in July 2024. Gomez is a valet driver who was accused of stealing a hotel guest’s car, driving under the influence and causing an accident.

Gomez reached a plea agreement in his case in September. Court records show Marco Gomez, 23, pleaded guilty to amended charges of second-degree negligent homicide and manslaughter by driving while intoxicated. Charges of knowingly operating a vehicle without a valid license and operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent were dismissed and read into the court record for sentencing.

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

“You should be ashamed of yourself. You will pay for this in prison. But your sentence is long enough and you’re taking your own life and you’re going to have to serve the rest of your life,” said Vicki Cole, the victim’s aunt.

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

11th and accident in Wisconsin

Marquette University Police were called to the scene around 11:45 p.m. on July 3. Police found a white Toyota and a blue Hyundai overturned on its side. Both received significant damage.

Gomez, who was identified as the driver and sole occupant of the Toyota, was recovered from the crash scene. The driver of the Hyundai was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene, the criminal complaint said.

Surveillance video

Surveillance video shows the Toyota speeding west on Wisconsin Avenue before the crash.

The complaint says the Toyota entered the bus lane and ran a red light at 10th Street, then ran a red light at 11th Street and struck the front driver’s side of the Hyundai.

The video shows the driver of the Hyundai being ejected while the Toyota crashed into a pole and overturned. The victim was later identified by the medical examiner as 29-year-old Michael Starks.

A company car has gone missing

Police went to a downtown hotel near Phillips and Wells and spoke with a man who identified Gomez as the valet driver. That person, according to the complaint, reported that one of the cars the valet service was responsible for went missing that night during Gomez’s shift.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts with the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.

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

Gomez in custody

Once in custody, Gomez told police that he worked as a valet at the hotel and that night he stole the Toyota. He also said that he was drunk and was driving under the influence before the accident.

Gomez was originally charged with first degree negligent homicide.