Deputy shoots driver during chase near Johnson Creek

UPDATE (WKOW) -- The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office says a law enforcement officer shot the driver of a van being chased after it was reported stolen.

It all started with a retail theft in Delafield. Officers got word the van used in the crime was stolen from Milwaukee. As law enforcement officers were communicating about the vehicle, a passerby notified them about the location of the van. Officers from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and the Village of Johnson Creek were then able to find the van going westbound on Interstate 94.

Authorities tried to pull over the vehicle, but it sped up, eventually using a median turnaround to head into the eastbound lanes. 

Investigators say during the chase, the suspect vehicle topped 100 miles per hour.

As the van approached the intersection of I-94 and Highway Y, authorities put down stop sticks. At that time, officers had to avoid being hit by the vehicle and one officer fired into the van, hitting the driver.

Eventually, the van left the Interstate at Highway 26 and continued onto private land at Deer Track Landfill.

After the van crashed into a fence, officers were able to arrest the driver and a passenger. The driver, a 46-year-old man, was taken to the hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening. Officers say both men have active felony warrants.

The investigation will now be handled by the Waukesha County Sheriff's Office. One deputy from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation. 

Waukesha County officials left the scene shortly before 10 o'clock.

********

JOHNSON CREEK (WKOW) -- Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies are on the scene of a police incident near Johnson Creek.

The incident started as a report of a retail theft about 1:50 p.m. today, according to Delafield police.

The suspects were attempting to get into a rental van when a female fled on foot.  Two men were already in the rental van and took off, police say.

Delafield police pursued the van until it entered I90 from Highway 83.

After that, the case was picked up by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office when authorities responded to the Deer Track Park landfill off Linmar Lane just east of Johnson Creek. 

The Wisconsin Department of Justice is not investigating, according to a spokesperson, but they did call it a critical incident.

The sheriff's office has released no further details. 27 News has a reporter at the scene who says they're keeping news crews away at this time.


View Full Site