South Milwaukee Man Sentenced to Prison for Wrong-Way Crash on I-794 That Left Woman Seriously Injured
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN — A South Milwaukee man has been sentenced to prison for his role in a wrong-way crash on I-794 that left a woman seriously injured in October 2024. The sentencing brings closure to a yearlong case that highlighted the dangers of impaired driving on Wisconsin highways.
According to court records, 37-year-old Matthew Sinclair pleaded guilty in August 2025 to first-degree recklessly endangering safety and causing injury while operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration (PAC).
Sinclair Sentenced to Prison and Extended Supervision
On Friday, October 31, a Milwaukee County judge sentenced Sinclair to three years in prison, followed by three years of extended supervision. He was also ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and complete 50 hours of community service.
Sinclair is scheduled to return to court on December 12 for a restitution hearing.
The charges stemmed from a late-night wrong-way collision that occurred around 10:30 p.m. on October 20, 2024, when Sinclair was reportedly driving west in the eastbound lanes of I-794 near James Lovell Street.
Victim Trapped in Vehicle, Suffered Serious Injuries
The crash left the female driver of the other vehicle trapped inside her car with severe injuries. According to the criminal complaint, the woman suffered multiple broken ribs, three fractured vertebrae, a broken tailbone, and internal bleeding. She was extricated by emergency crews and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Witnesses told deputies they saw Sinclair’s vehicle speeding the wrong way in the eastbound lanes before the impact. One driver said she swerved to avoid a head-on collision and turned on her hazard lights to warn others moments before hearing a “loud bang.”
Deputies arriving at the scene found both vehicles disabled in traffic. Sinclair was given medical attention before being transported to Froedtert Hospital, where officers noted a strong odor of alcohol on his breath.
Refused Testing and Showed Signs of Impairment
According to the report, Sinclair refused field sobriety and chemical testing at the hospital. Investigators concluded he was driving while impaired, leading to the felony charges that resulted in his prison sentence.
Footage from Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) cameras captured the collision near 2nd Street, confirming that Sinclair’s car was traveling in the wrong direction moments before the crash.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office continues to emphasize the dangers of drunk and wrong-way driving, noting that such incidents remain a major public safety concern statewide.
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