CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP — A Monroe man is in hot water after fleeing from a traffic stop and leading law enforcement through multiple counties and reaching speeds over 100 mph.
Luis Toledo, 21, of Monroe, faces charges including Fleeing/Eluding, felony bail jumping and second offense OWI.
At approximately 11:38 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, a Columbia County Sheriff’s Deputy was on patrol on I-90/I-94 in Caledonia Township when he observed a vehicle operating with an equipment violation. According to Lieutenant Jordan Haueter of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop near the 110-mile marker. When the deputy activated his emergency lights and siren, the vehicle failed to slow down or stop.
The vehicle continued to flee at a high rate of speed from the deputy eastbound on I-90/I-94, and another Columbia County Deputy was able to successfully deploy tire deflation devices near the 115 mile-marker.
The fleeing vehicle struck the tire deflation device leading to the two front tires going flat. The Lodi Police Department was then requested to deploy tire deflation devices on I-90/I-94 near Wis. 60. The fleeing vehicle continued eastbound at speeds over 100 mph, disregarding pursuing deputy’s lights and sirens. The pursuit continued eastbound on I-90/I-94 until the fleeing vehicle pulled over near the 123 mile-marker in Dane County.
The driver and passenger of the suspect vehicle were quickly taken into custody without further incident.
The driver of the suspect vehicle was identified as Toledo. The deputy observed signs that Toledo was impaired by alcohol.
Toledo was transported to the Columbia County Jail. On July 11, he had an initial appearance in Columbia County Circuit Court facing the following charges:
● Fleeing/Eluding
● 2nd Degree Reckless Endangering Safety
● Violation of Probation
● Felony bail jumping
● OWI 2nd
Toledo was given a $2,500 cash bond by court official W. Andrew Voigt under standard felony conditions, including no possession or consumption of alcohol, and not to operate a motor vehicle without a valid license. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 16.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Lodi Police Department, Poynette Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol and Brown’s Towing.
“Thankfully, no one was injured from the dangerous decision made to flee the deputy while impaired,” Lt. Haueter said. “This is another example of why the Sheriff’s Office makes locating impaired drivers and holding them accountable for their poor decision to operate a motor vehicle while impaired a priority.”