A Middleton man is in custody after an early Sunday highway chase that started with reports of bizarre behavior on U.S. Highway 151 and ended in Juneau when officers used a PIT maneuver and tire deflation device to stop his car. He was arrested on a suspicion of operating while impaired, and prosecutors are expected to review possible felony fleeing and bail jumping charges.
How the Pursuit Unfolded
Just after midnight, dispatchers received a call from someone on U.S. Highway 151 who reported a driver behaving erratically, stopping in front of them and even getting out of his vehicle to ask for money. Beaver Dam police soon spotted the vehicle and tried to pull it over, but the driver took off instead of stopping.
The pursuit headed east on County Highway B to State Highway 26, then south toward Juneau as multiple agencies joined in. At the intersection of State Highways 26 and 33, a Dodge County sergeant used a PIT maneuver that caused the vehicle to spin out, according to FOX6.
Stop Sticks and PIT Maneuvers in Recent Chases
In Dodge County and neighboring areas, tire deflation devices and PIT maneuvers have become standard tools in multi-agency pursuits. In a March 9 chase that crossed into Dodge County, deputies tried to use stop sticks before the fleeing vehicle crashed, as reported by WISN.
Officers typically turn to those tactics when they say a fleeing driver poses an immediate threat to public safety. At the same time, their use often prompts community questions about pursuit policies and how law enforcement weighs risk on busy roads.
Arrest, Identity and What Comes Next
As the chase entered Juneau, a Juneau police officer deployed a tire deflation device, and the vehicle finally came to a stop near the intersection of Main and Cross streets. Deputies took the lone occupant into custody at the scene.
The driver was identified as 36-year-old William McCann of Middleton. A deputy arrested him on suspicion of operating while impaired, and the Dodge County Sheriff's Office says it will forward recommended charges of felony fleeing or eluding and multiple counts of bail jumping to the district attorney's office, according to FOX6.
McCann remains in custody while the Dodge County District Attorney reviews the case. Court records will show whether prosecutors decide to file the fleeing and bail jumping counts. This story will be updated if officials release additional booking or court information.
