Fatal accident involving a drunk parking attendant; Marco Gomez sentenced to 15 years in prison

MILWAUKEE – A Milwaukee County judge on Friday, October 25 sentenced Marco Gomez 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 a valet parking attendant accused of causing an accident in a hotel guest’s car, driving under the influence and causing accident.

In September, Gomez reached a settlement in his case. Court records show Marco Gomez, 23, pleaded guilty to amended charges of second-degree reckless homicide and manslaughter by driving under the influence of alcohol. Charges of knowingly driving without a valid driver’s license and operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent were dismissed and entered into the court records for sentencing purposes.

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

“You should be ashamed of yourself. You’ll pay for this in prison. But your sentence is so long that you could take your own life and you should serve the entire sentence,” 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 finds compassion and forgiveness for my actions,” Gomez said. “I cannot fathom in my heart the hurt and pain you are going through.”

Disaster on 11th and Wisconsin

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

Gomez, identified as the driver and sole passenger of the Toyota, was extricated from the wreckage. According to the complaint, the driver of the Hyundai was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.

Surveillance video

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

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

The footage shows the driver of the Hyundai being thrown and the Toyota hitting a pole before overturning. The medical examiner later identified the victim as 29-year-old Michael Starks.

No proven car

Police went to a downtown hotel near Phillips and Wells and spoke with a person who identified Gomez as the valet parking attendant. The complaint states that the individual stated that one of the valet parking vehicles was missing that night during Gomez’s shift.

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The complaint states that a hotel guest identified the Toyota involved in the wreck as his rental car.

Gomez in custody

After his arrest, Gomez told police he worked at the hotel as a valet and took the Toyota that evening. He also testified that before the accident he had been drinking and was driving under the influence of alcohol.

Gomez was originally charged with first-degree reckless homicide.