Dane County deputy injured by 22-year-old driver who now faces felony charg

Authorities say a 22-year-old driver from Endeavor led officials on a chase across Madison, through several Dane County towns and onto an interstate before he crashed into an officer Saturday night.

A Sunday evening news release by the Dane County Sheriff's office says a deputy first saw the white 2000 Ford Ranger weaving between lanes on STH 19 in Sun Prairie. The truck matched a vehicle that had fled from Madison Police about 20 minutes earlier.

The county deputy tried to pull it over but the suspect driver, Anthony W. Smith, allegedly refused to stop. He continued to drive into the Town of Burke and reportedly entered the interstate ramp westbound on I-39/90 where he swerved off the road, ran into a sign, and turned back onto the road.

He then reportedly turned toward the pursuing deputy and crashed into the patrol car. The deputy, a 24-year-veteran who hasn't been identified, was hurt but not critically.

The county says Smith ran away from the crash site and later was arrested by Wisconsin State Patrol officers in the Town of Vienna.

Smith faces felony charges of first degree recklessly endangering safety, knowingly fleeing an officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. He remains in the Dane County Jail; more charges might be filed against him.  


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