Police pursuit near Brookfield leads to traffic backup on I-94 EB
WAUKESHA CO. (WITI) -- A police pursuit that ended near I-94 and Calhoun Rd. in Waukesha County caused a massive backup on the eastbound side of I-94 in Brookfield on Thursday, September 5th.
It happened just after 11:00 a.m., when a Jefferson County Sheriff's deputy tried to stop a blue mini-van for speeding.
A Wisconsin State Trooper observed the vehicle at mile post 278. The Wisconsin State
Trooper caught up to the van, and it quickly pulled away.
"As soon as he caught up to the van it rapidly accelerated away. Speeds reached approximately 110 miles per hour," said Sgt. Wendy Younglove of the Wisconsin State Patrol.
The vehicle exited at Hwy 83, traveled a short distance and reentered Interstate 94 eastbound. The van forced several vehicles off the road and was passing on the shoulder.
"It is businesses in that area. Not a great place to have a pursuit," said Younglove.
A Wisconsin State Trooper unsuccessfully attempted to spike the vehicle at mile post 297. Another Wisconsin State Trooper was positioned east of Barker Road and was able to successfully spike all four tires.
"Looked like a large cloud of smoke came up when they locked the brakes up on the van," said witness Bryan Jahnke.
"I just saw they had somebody on the ground. I think there were three of them, and brought them up one at a time," said Todd Page, who witnessed the apprehension.
Three subjects were taken into custody without incident. There were no injuries to officers, subjects involved, or the motoring public.
Only the driver, a 40-year-old woman, was held on charges of fleeing and eluding, reckless endangering safety, one felony warrant and eight municipal warrants.
FOX6 News has learned the woman told officials that just before the pursuit, she had driven off from a gas station without paying for gas.
Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.