Shortly before 9 p.m. on Sunday, June 14 a Dodge County Sheriff’s lieutenant attempted to stop a vehicle traveling nearly 50 mph in a 25-mph zone in Kekoskee. The vehicle immediately increased its speed and fled northbound. A traffic pursuit began and continued into Fond du Lac County.

Another Dodge County deputy soon joined the pursuit, which took place at speeds in excess of 100 mph. As the pursuit was heading towards Fond du Lac County, assistance from their sheriff’s office was requested. The suspect failed to stop at stop signs and at times, was driving on the wrong side of the road. The vehicle received damage after failing to negotiate a turn and entered the ditch and field at the intersection of Highland Road and Kinwood Road, in Fond du lac County. The pursuit continued into Oakfield and eventually towards the city of Fond du Lac, where the suspect entered I-41 going northbound. Fond du Lac Sheriff’s Deputies had prepared tire deflation devices on I-41 near Winnebago Street. As the suspect was northbound on I-41, speeds decreased to about the speed limit, then slower, as the car became disabled due to the earlier damage and stopped on the shoulder.

A high-risk stop was performed with deputies from Fond du Lac County, and troopers with the Wisconsin State Patrol assisting. Both of the vehicle’s occupants were detained, and the 20-year-old driver, Lorie Johnson, of Marion, Wisconsin was eventually arrested and brought to the Dodge County Jail.

Lorie Johnson was charged in Dodge County Circuit Court for felony charges of fleeing/eluding an officer and 2nd degree reckless endangering safety, along with a misdemeanor charge of bail jumping.

Her 20-year-old male passenger was released after being detained.