Seeking closure after fatal Milwaukee crash

Eight months after a tragic car accident took the life of Tonya Missouri-Smith on Mother’s Day, her family is expressing the challenges they have faced during the lengthy court proceedings. Tonya, a beloved member of the community renowned for her family’s business, Mae Velma’s Corned Beef, was killed in a multi-vehicle crash while her son was also in the car. Her daughter, Tyrisha Smith, shared how the family is coping day by day, saying, "There are good days, there are bad days. But we just try to hold each other together best we can. She was a very present mother." The family, initially private about the incident, is now seeking closure and accountability after months of court hearings, echoing the profound pain they endure. The person responsible for the accident, Ajena Wynn-Howard, has been charged by prosecutors with first-degree reckless homicide. Despite Wynn-Howard admitting fault at the scene, delays in the legal process have left Tonya's family frustrated and bewildered. They are navigating the emotional toll of shifting defenses and unexpected turns in the case, with Tyron Smith saying, "The court process and things like that…I can’t really get my head around it." As the case proceeds, with a court date set for Feb. 3, Tonya's family is appealing for community support during the hearing and appreciates the continued stories shared by customers about Tonya.