December 9, 2023 – Fond du Lac Co., WI – On Friday, December 8, 2023 at approximately 5 p.m. an Officer with the City of Fond du Lac Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Fourth Street near Main Street in the City of Fond du Lac.
The Officer stopped the vehicle after running the registration, discovering the registered owner had a body only statewide warrant. During the traffic stop the driver fled and a short pursuit ensued before being terminated.
At approximately 5:08 p.m., a Deputy with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office located the suspect vehicle driving recklessly and traveling at a high rate of speed on Martin Avenue near 11th Street in the City of Fond du Lac. The Deputy attempted to stop the vehicle however the driver failed to stop and a pursuit ensued.
The suspect continued south on Martin Ave, turning onto Highway 151 southbound and ultimately merging onto Interstate 41 northbound.
The suspect continued traveling recklessly and at a high rate of speed as he approached Johnson Street. A Fond du Lac Officer attempted to deploy a tire deflation device, but was unsuccessful. The pursuit continued on Interstate 41 until traffic become too heavy to continue safely. Due to the heavy traffic the pursuit was terminated.
Moments later the vehicle began to slow, pulling to the shoulder. Two suspects bailed from the vehicle as it was still rolling, running into a marsh area along Interstate 41. The vehicle slow rolled off the interstate into the marsh before coming to rest.
Fond du Lac County Deputies along with Troopers from the Wisconsin State Patrol and Officers with the City of Fond du Lac Police Department set up a perimeter to begin a K9 Track.
Both Sheriff K9 Rip and Fond du Lac Police K9 Jesus were on scene and assisted in taking both suspects into custody without incident.
The driver is identified as 21-year-old Fond du Lac man with passenger, 19-year-old Fond du Lac woman. The driver is currently out on bail for domestic related charges through Fond du Lac County with bond conditions of no contact with the passenger.
The driver was booked into the Fond du Lac County Jail on charges of Felony Operator Flee/Elude an Officer – 2 counts, First Degree Reckless Endangering Safety, Second Degree Reckless Endangering Safety, Misdemeanor Bail Jumping, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting/Obstructing an Officer and Threats to Law Enforcement. Also held on the warrant mentioned above and issued several traffic tickets stemming from the pursuit.
The passenger was released with charges of Resisting/Obstructing an Officer, referred to the District Attorney’s Office.
Both suspects were evaluated for possible injuries from the incident. The passenger did suffered minor injuries from exiting the moving vehicle. Two civilian vehicles were damaged from a tire deflation device. No law enforcement vehicles were damaged during the pursuit. The pursuit lasted approximately 14 miles.
The Wisconsin State Patrol, City of Fond du Lac Police Department and The Village of North Fond du Lac EMS all assisted the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office during the incident.
Sergeant Matthew Riemenschneider #154