OMRO, WI (WTAQ) – The Omro community is still working to process news of the deaths of two siblings, who were killed in a high-speed crash with a wrong-way driver on a Florida interstate last week.
The community remains in shock, as two young neighbors were taken too soon. But the impact 21-year-old Domynick and 18-year-old Danycka Milis had on their community is undeniable.
18-year-old Danycka Milis (L) and 21-year-old Domynick Milis (R) of Omro were killed in a high-speed crash in Florida on Tuesday. (Photos provided by Art Eichmann)The community remains in a daze, as two young neighbors were taken too soon. But the impact 21-year-old Domynick and 18-year-old Danycka Milis had on their community is undeniable.
Volusia County, Florida Sheriff Mike Chitwood says they were following family home from a light show near Daytona Beach Tuesday night when they missed their exit. Moments later, a carjacking suspect with a 200 page criminal history hit them head-on at over 100-miles per hour.
“Those kids never had a chance. Never had a chance,” Chitwood said. “They missed the exit at the same time that this murdering thug is barreling the wrong way on I-95, and he hits them head-on…25 yard difference. If they make that exit, they’re alive. They miss it, they’re dead.”
The crash also injured their younger brother, Drake – and cousin, Kyley Larsen.
Drake Milis (L) and Kyley Larsen (R) were injured in a high-speed crash in Florida this week. (Photos provided by Art Eichmann)
That collision sent shockwaves through the 3,600 person city back here in Wisconsin.
“It just makes you sick to your stomach. I mean really that’s what it was, just this level of sickness that only parents can understand,” said Art Eichmann.
“Obviously it’s shock and disbelief. You don’t want to believe that things that bad have happened,” said former 7th grade literacy teacher, Neil Klosterman.
“Shock. That’s probably what it is, shock,” said John Schwantz.
“Tragic loss for our community. We lost two young adults that are outstanding young adults,” said Omro Schools Superintendent Jay Jones.
The second-year superintendent says he didn’t have much time to get to know the Milis family. But what he did know, is that they meant a lot to the people around them.
“It’s a tough one not only for the district, but for the whole community. It’s all pretty raw yet, but we’re hoping that healing process can start soon,” Jones told WTAQ News. “Domenic coached middle school cross country this year for us. He continued to make an impact on our school community.”
Neil Klosterman coached Dom in 8th grade basketball, and had Danycka in class. When we spoke to him on Thursday, he was still trying to process what had happened.
“As a basketball player, I would say that he was the ultimate sort of team player. Always looking out for others and always seemed to have a good time, and I think that went forward as he went into high school,” Klosterman said. “If I had to to pick something that I remember most, it’s how they always seemed to be concerned with or supporting of each other and their family.”
He says even if you didn’t know them personally, if you’re around the Omro community, you probably know someone who did.
Domynick also completed his clinicals at Omro Elementary School, and was set up to begin student teaching in the upcoming semester. He had plans to become a teacher within the district following graduation from UW-Whitewater. Those plans were discussed at length with John Schwantz, who had both kids in class – and coached them for four years in the Track & Field program.
“He was looking to apply for a position opening this coming year, and I told him ‘Yes!’ And then he could be a potential track coach, because I’m retiring soon and I’m thinking maybe he would want the head job and it would be in good hands,” Schwantz recalled. “We had a good talk, talking about his future. He had just a semester left of student teaching and could see that next chapter of his life right in front of him, and I said ‘Yes, apply at Omro. We need you.’ It’s just kind of weird, because then I hear this.”
Schwantz says seeing them every day, especially outside of the classroom, he got to know both of them well.
“You get pretty tight when you’re with someone outside of the classroom. [When you’re] coaching, you get to see a different side of the students and get more of a personal relationship with them,” Schwantz explained. “So when you see Dom and Danycka every day outside of the classroom at meets, on the bus, talking and communicating – it’s a sense of family. And it’s just hard to wrap your mind around it.”
Both Schwantz and Klosterman spoke about how both kids were always looking out for others, especially their younger brother.
“Yeah, I don’t think anyone dislikes the Milis family. I can tell you that right now. They were very likeable kids, you never had a discipline problem with them, they were always there to help. You just never had to worry about them as people,” Schwantz said.
Meanwhile, a candle-light vigil was held to remember the siblings on Thursday night on the school’s football field.
“We just plowed the snow off of the track in order for people to come and socially distance and offer their condolences,” Superintendent Jones said. “I think it’s going to be really, really important. And the idea for the vigil came from a community member.”
That community member is Art Eichmann. Eichmann’s kids are around the same age, and he’s a local sports photographer who spent quite a bit of time around the Milis family throughout the years.
The Omro Boys Basketball team honors Domynick and Danycka Milis during a game on December 30th, 2020. (PHOTO: Courtesy of Art Eichmann Photography)
“Dom is a kid that was quite committed to his sports and athletics while he was in high school, and extended that after school. He started a running club, decided to take on coaching youth baseball, just giving back to the community and the youngsters in the area,” Eichmann told WTAQ News. “Danykca also helped younger kids. She was a good leader on the basketball team while she was a captain her senior year. They just always gave back a little bit of themselves to help the community just be better.”
The boys basketball team showed their support with #MilisStrong, and Danycka and Dom written on their sneakers during a Wednesday night game. The girls team sported Danycka’s favorite color, purple, to honor their former Team Captain.
Other social media campaigns showing support include people walking #MilesForMilis and a continued spread of the #MilisStrong.
So when it came to getting the whole city on board, Eichmann had an idea to fit everyone who might want to show up.
“It was a knee jerk reaction of ‘Hey, let’s do this.’ The community is pretty strong the way it is, but coming together to start that process is exactly what I think is the right idea,” Eichmann said. “This whole year of not being able to speak and talk with each other, I think, makes it more difficult. So the decision was just ‘Hey, let’s do this.’ Get everybody together and try to start the healing process. And the best way to do that is actually, physically seeing each other and just talking about it.”
The parents are expected to return home with a group of family friends this week. Drake will be part of that group. But this coming week won’t be easy for the family…or anyone who knew them.
“We have to go back to our lives as normal and we kinda get desensitized. And then you call me, and I’m going through this array of emotions again…It’s going to be painful,” Schwantz said. “And obviously when they get back, and then when Danycka and Dom get back here – we’re going to have some type of service. That’s not going to be any fun. That’s for sure.”
The school district is providing counseling services for students and staff as they return to school this week.
“Life is precious. This time of the year, and any time of the year, you should hold your family a little closer,” Sheriff Chitwood said.
Schwantz and Klosterman both expressed interest in working on some larger way to honor Domynick and Danycka. Schwantz floated ideas of incorporating something with the coming Track & Field season. But for now…
“The best thing that we can do is to make sure that we’re also doing the same sort of things. That we’re making things not be about ourselves, but be about the community or others as a whole,” Klosterman said.
A Go Fund Me Page has been established to assist the family with expenses.
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