June 11, 2023 – Fond du Lac, WI – On Sunday, June 11, 2023 at approximately 1:04 a.m. a deputy from the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a vehicle on Hwy 151 at Brookhaven Beech Road in the Town of Taycheedah.
The deputy had observed the vehicle traveling southbound, following another southbound vehicle at an unsafe distance.
The suspect vehicle failed to yield to emergency lights and sirens and increased its speed in an attempt to elude the deputy. Shortly after the pursuit started the suspect vehicle had a flat tire, losing the tread to that tire, and continued to drive with three wheels.
Another Fond du Lac County deputy was able to deploy a tire deflation device in the area of Hwy 151 at Ducharme Parkway that struck the remaining three tires. The driver attempted to exit Hwy 151 at Johnson St. where it lost control and crashed.
The operator and sole occupant of the vehicle was identified as a 24-year-old Fond du Lac man. The operator was temporarily stuck inside the vehicle; he was later able to self-extricate.
He was evaluated for injuries and was found to have minor superficially bruising. Deputies evaluated him for suspicion of operating while impaired and found that he was under the influence of an illicit substance. He was arrested for OWI 1st offense, felony fleeing/eluding, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of fentanyl.
He was issued a citation for vehicle following too closely. Further investigation revealed that he had an open case through Dodge County from May 2023 where he was charged with felony fleeing/eluding, resisting/obstructing, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The suspect was released on a $200 signature bond in that case. He was also involved in an incident in the City of Fond du Lac on June 9, 2023 where he had fled from officers during an investigation; he was wanted in that case as well.
The pursuit covered a total distance of 3.5 miles. No deputies or uninvolved citizens were injured during the apprehension of the suspect. One Sheriff’s Office cruiser suffered a flat tire during the pursuit. The suspect’s vehicle was totaled; there were no other damages as a result of the pursuit. The Wisconsin State Patrol assisted with investigating the crash.
