July 2, 2023 – Fond du Lac Co., WI – On Saturday, July 1, 2023, at approximately 3:25 a.m., a Deputy with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a vehicle for a speed violation on southbound Interstate 41 at County Hwy Y in the Byron Township of Fond du Lac County, WI.
The vehicle was observed on radar traveling over 120 mph prior to attempts to stop it. The deputy activated his emergency lights & siren, and the vehicle did not yield to attempts to stop it. The vehicle increased its speed, and fled southbound on Interstate 41 at a high rate of speed.
The pursued vehicle exited Interstate 41 at State Hwy 49 in Dodge County. The vehicle did not stop for the stop sign at the top of the off ramp, and continued eastbound at a high rate of speed. The vehicle reentered Fond du Lac County on Drumline Dr at County Hwy K.
The vehicle negotiated a curve on Drumlin Dr. and began traveling southbound on Drumlin Dr. The pursuing deputy terminated the pursuit when he lost sight of the suspect vehicle.
Deputies from Fond du Lac and Dodge Counties began checking the last known direction of travel for the suspect vehicle.
The initiating deputy located the suspect vehicle traveling westbound on State Hwy 67 near Golden Corners Rd.
The deputy initiated a stop on the vehicle, and it came to a stop on Butternut Rd at State Hwy 67 in Dodge County.
A high-risk traffic stop ensued. The driver was cooperative with deputies’ commands, and was taken into custody without incident.
The pursuit lasted approximately 5 miles. The driver was identified as a 21-year old male from Oshkosh, WI.
Deputies noted signs of impairment, and the driver was determined to be under the influence while operating the motor vehicle. K9 Iro conducted a sniff of the vehicle and alerted, and evidence of drug use was located in the vehicle.
It was determined the suspect vehicle continued southbound on Drumline Dr. after the pursuit was terminated.
The vehicle failed to stop for a stop sign at the “T” intersection of Drumlin Dr and State Hwy 67. The vehicle continued through the intersection while trying to complete a right turn, and struck the south ditch of State Hwy 67.
The suspect vehicle received moderate damage due to this crash, and continued westbound. No other vehicles or property were damaged, and no injuries occurred as a result of this pursuit.
The driver was arrested for Knowingly Fleeing an Officer, Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence – 2nd offense, and Second-Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety.
He was also cited for other miscellaneous traffic violations. A passenger in the vehicle was also detained during the investigation, but was later released without charges.
The Wisconsin State Patrol and Dodge County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the high-risk stop.