(CALEDONIA) A man involved in a police chase that started in Waunakee and stretched into Caledonia died by suicide Sunday night, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Waunakee police, it started on Friday when a 45-year-old man broke into a woman’s home in Waunakee and held her captive with a weapon until she was able to get away from the suspect and call police on Sunday afternoon. At about 3:30 p.m. Sunday, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office contacted Columbia County deputies to alert them about a truck involved in a kidnapping that was on its way to Columbia County.
Authorities said the suspect had a gun and was suicidal. Heavy rain and poor visibility made the chase very dangerous. The chase ended when the suspect crashed his vehicle in Caledonia. Highway 78 between Old U Road and Biech Road in Caledonia had to be closed for about six hours. It reopened at around 10:45 Sunday night.
About two-and-a-half hours after the crash, authorities said the suspect shot himself. Life-saving measures were performed, but the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A Columbia County Sheriff’s deputy sustained a minor arm injury and was treated at a local hospital.
