A deputy with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle driving recklessly on Highway 41, northbound near Military Road in Fond du Lac on Sunday afternoon, March 8. The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and was swerving in and out of traffic before exiting at Military Road.

The deputy attempted a traffic stop on Military Road; however, the vehicle accelerated and fled the scene. It started a chase.

The suspect’s vehicle re-entered Highway 41, now traveling southbound. Deputies continued the pursuit into Dodge County, where deputies from the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office attempted to deploy tire deflation devices. The driver lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle exited the roadway on the left shoulder and became entangled in the median cable barrier on Highway 41 near Highway 28.

Three subjects were taken into custody.

A Police K9 conducted an open-air sniff of the exterior of the vehicle and gave a positive alert for the presence of narcotics. Deputies searched the vehicle and located a firearm, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and marijuana.

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and State Patrol.

The chase lasted 17 miles. No squad vehicles or other motorists’ vehicles were damaged during the pursuit, and no injuries were reported.

The driver was identified as a 39-year-old male from Watertown. At the time of the incident, he had eight open felony cases and one misdemeanor traffic case.