44-year-old Florida man captured in Fond du Lac after high speed pursuit

On Sunday, June 9th, 2024, at approximately 12:53am, a Deputy with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a vehicle for a speed violation, 116mph in a 55mph zone, Westbound on US-Highway 23 at Whispering Springs Drive in the Town of Empire, in Fond du Lac County.

The Deputy activated his emergency lights & siren and the vehicle did not yield to the Deputy’s attempts to stop it. The vehicle continued westbound through the roundabout at US Highway 23 and Wisconsin American Drive. The vehicle then entered the eastbound lanes of travel while continuing westbound on US Highway 23 near Highway 151.

The vehicle continued in the wrong lane of traffic, when the driver attempted to make a left turn on Prairie Road. The vehicle was unsuccessful due to the excessive speed and struck a curb. The vehicle entered the south terrace on Johnson Street, entering an adjacent parking lot, continuing to drive at a high rate of speed. The vehicle became disabled as the result of striking the curb.

At the time the vehicle stopped, the driver exited the vehicle and began to flee on foot. A perimeter was established to contain the suspect. A Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was on foot and checking the area when he encountered the suspect.

A brief foot chase ensued but the driver eventually complied with the Deputy’s commands and was taken into custody, without further incident.

The driver, who was identified as a 44-year-old man from Saint Petersburg, Florida, is being held at the Fond du Lac County Jail for Vehicle Operator Flee and Elude Officers, 1nd Degree Recklessly Endanger Safety, Operate While Intoxicated, Possession of Psilocin/Psilocybin and Resisting and Obstructing an Officer. He was also cited for several traffic violations.

The pursuit lasted 2.1 miles. The suspect vehicle sustained minor damage to the front passenger tire while the driver was attempting to evade Law Enforcement. No civilians, suspects, or Law Enforcement Officers were injured as a result of this pursuit.

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by The City of Fond du Lac Police Department and Wisconsin State Patrol with this incident.