RHINELANDER, WI (WSAU) — A report of a two-vehicle crash outside Rhinelander led to a high-speed chase through the city and multiple felony charges against a 51-year-old man from Menominee County.
According to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, it started with a report that a vehicle had been struck at Highway 17 N near Chick-A-Dee Peek Road. According to the reporting person, their car had been struck by someone trying to pass them in a no-passing zone.
When the reporting person pulled to the side of the road, the second vehicle struck them again. The caller told dispatch they believed the second vehicle was “trying to start an altercation” with them.
The second vehicle fled the scene as officers arrived, reaching speeds of up to 100 MPH and “committing several traffic offenses,” according to officers. The chase eventually entered the City of Rhinelander at Stevens Street.
Officers attempted a PIT maneuver at US Highway 8 but were unable to stop the suspect, who left the city. An officer was able to ram the suspect head-on, but they continued. The chase eventually terminated on a logging road outside Rhinelander and the suspect was taken into custody without incident.
He has since been identified as Daniel Thunder of Neopit. Officers are recommending a laundry list of charges against him including second-degree recklessly endangering safety, felony fleeing, disorderly conduct involving a motor vehicle, hit-and-run, physical abuse of an elder, and a first-offense OWI. He will also face numerous traffic citations in connection with the incident.
It’s unclear if Thunder knew the victim, who has not been identified.
The Rhinelander Police Department assisted with the investigation. Names of those involved have not been released. Officers also noted that the incident led to a brief lockdown at the Rhinelander High School.
Comments