BARRON COUNTY -- On Sunday, September 8, 2024, a high-speed chase through Rice Lake and into Barron County ended with the arrest of two individuals after they caused a disturbance at a local business. The incident began when officers from the Rice Lake Police Department were dispatched to a business on the south side of the city following reports of two intoxicated individuals causing a disruption.
See also: Fatal Head-On Crash On Hwy SS: One Dead, Two Injured In Haugen Collision
Before officers arrived, the two individuals fled the scene in a vehicle, heading northbound on South Main Street. A short time later, officers spotted the vehicle speeding through the area and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The driver refused to stop, leading to a pursuit through Rice Lake and into Barron County.
During the chase, one Rice Lake police car sustained damage when the suspect vehicle performed a U-turn in front of it. Fortunately, the officer involved was not injured. Deputies from the Barron County Sheriff’s Office then took over the pursuit as it continued on Highway 48 for approximately 14 miles.
The chase came to an end when the suspect vehicle lost control on a curve and crashed into a ditch. Both occupants were taken into custody at the scene and transported to Marshfield Medical Center for treatment of their injuries.
The passenger was later released, but the driver, identified as 28-year-old Raul Velasquez of Arizona, is being held at the Barron County Jail. He faces multiple charges, including OWI Causing Injury, Fleeing an Officer, Reckless Driving, and Disorderly Conduct. Formal charges are expected from the Barron County District Attorney’s Office.
The Barron County Sheriff’s Department received assistance from the Birchwood Fire and EMS, Marshfield Medical Center Ambulance, and the Wisconsin State Patrol.
PRESS RELEASES
RICE LAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT
On Sunday September 8, 2024, officers from the Rice Lake Police Department were dispatched to a business on the southside of the city for the report of two disorderly and intoxicated individuals causing a disturbance at the establishment.
While officers were responding to the area, it was reported the two individuals left in a car north bound on S Main St.
A short time later officers observed the suspect vehicle traveling at an extremely fast rate of speed northbound on Main St.
Officers attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle failed to stop for the officers, which had their emergency lights and sirens activated.
A pursuit was initiated that continued through Rice Lake and into the county. During this pursuit one Rice Lake police car sustained damage when the suspect vehicle conducted a U-Turn in front of it. The officer was not injured.
Deputies from the Barron County Sheriff's office took over the pursuit while in their jurisdiction and continued the pursuit until it ended with the suspect vehicle crashing.
BARRON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
On Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., the Rice Lake Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle on Main Street in the City of Rice Lake and that vehicle failed to stop.
Barron County Sheriff’s Department deputies assisted in this chase and took over the chase on Hwy 48.
The chase continued north on Hwy 48 for about 14 miles. The vehicle lost control on a curve and crashed into the ditch.
Deputies took two subjects into custody at the scene and both subjects were transported to Marshfield Medical Center for their injuries.
The passenger in the vehicle was later released and the driver, Raul Velasquez, 28 of Arizona, is being held in the Barron County Jail awaiting formal charges of OWI Causing Injury, Fleeing an Officer, Reckless Driving and Disorderly Conduct by the Barron County District Attorney’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the Birchwood Fire and EMS, Marshfield Medical Center Ambulance and the WI State Patrol.
-- Per Chris Fitzgerald, Barron County Sheriff
Last Update: Sep 09, 2024 11:26 am CDT
