Dunn County Sheriff pursuit ends in squad car damage

On May 3rd, 2023 at 2304 hrs our Office was advised of a pursuit westbound on I-94 initiated by the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office. The pursuit was initiated after their office responded to a report of occupants of a vehicle passed out in a vehicle with the operator observed having a needle in his arm.

Upon law enforcement arrival the vehicle fled from officers. Dunn County Deputies successfully deployed spike strips prior to exit 45 on I-94. The vehicle continued westbound with several tires deflated where deputies performed a moving roadblock to slow and stop the suspect vehicle. After the vehicle was stopped the driver accelerated attempting to escape between a Dunn County squad and guardrail severely damaging a Dunn County squad. A pit maneuver was then performed on the suspect vehicle with it coming to rest in the median where the operator fled on foot.

The operator and a passenger were taken into custody shortly thereafter. The vehicle was found to be stolen out of St. Paul MN. and had been involved in pursuit by the St. Croix County Sheriff's Office earlier in the day with the pursuit being terminated after entering Minnesota. The St. Croix pursuit was initiated after a similar complaint being investigated by Eau Claire County Sheriff.