KEKOSKEE – A Marion woman is facing charges after authorities say a traffic stop in Dodge County turned into a high-speed pursuit that ended in Fond du Lac County.
According to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, a lieutenant attempted to stop a vehicle shortly before 9 p.m. Sunday, June 14, in the village of Kekoskee. The sheriff’s office says the vehicle was allegedly traveling nearly 50 miles-per-hour in a 25-mile-per-hour zone.
Authorities say the driver immediately increased speed and fled northbound. Another Dodge County deputy joined the pursuit, which continued into Fond du Lac County at speeds of more than 100 miles-per-hour.
The sheriff’s office says the suspect failed to stop at stop signs and, at times, drove on the wrong side of the road. The vehicle was damaged after failing to negotiate a turn and entering a ditch and field near Highland Road and Kinwood Road in Fond du Lac County.
The pursuit continued into Oakfield and toward the city of Fond du Lac, where the vehicle entered northbound Interstate 41. Fond du Lac County sheriff’s deputies had prepared tire deflation devices near Winnebago Street, but authorities say the vehicle became disabled from earlier damage and stopped on the shoulder of I-41 just south of Winnebago Street.
A high-risk stop was conducted with assistance from Fond du Lac County deputies and Wisconsin State Patrol troopers. Both occupants were detained.
Authorities identified the driver as 20-year-old Lorie Johnson of Marion. She was arrested and taken to the Dodge County Jail.
Johnson was charged Monday, June 15, in Dodge County Circuit Court with felony fleeing or eluding an officer, felony second-degree reckless endangering safety, and misdemeanor bail jumping. Her 20-year-old male passenger was released after being detained.
