A former Ladysmith, Wisconsin, trucking company employee allegedly led police on a multi-county chase on I-94 and I-90 after getting fired and taking a semi with a female passenger still inside.
According to reports, Michael Steven Jones, 47, of St. Louis, Missouri, started “flipping out” after he was notified his services were no longer required. A police complaint reportedly indicates he jumped into a company rig with a female occupant sitting in the passenger’s seat. The woman told Wisconsin State Patrol that Jones ordered her to gather her things and exit the vehicle. She began to hastily grab her belongings as Jones grew agitated. She went as far as to call a Lyft ride and later presented the receipt to law enforcement. But the emotional, fired trucker powered up the Bobtail semi and sped off on I-94.
Several law enforcement outfits responded to the 911 alerts made by the woman trapped inside the rig. Jones was reportedly seen weaving in and out of traffic on I-90 at speeds of about 70 mph. State troopers were able to get out in front of the 2019 Freightliner Cascadia and warn other motorists of the danger. Officers were also able to evacuate road construction crews near the City of Mauston who were working on the median at the time.
Troopers reportedly laid down road spikes to burst the truck tires, but Jones continued plowing forward on flats. As the metal rims scraped the pavement, heat and sparks resulted in a fire. It wasn’t until Jones reportedly reached Wisconsin Dells that officers were able to bring the “reckless” chase to a conclusion.
The woman, who was not named in the complaint, got out of the cab and approached troopers with her hands over her head. Jones allegedly fled on foot before police brought him to the ground and slapped on the cuffs. Reports also indicate Jones kicked out the window of a police cruiser before being transported to Juneau County Jail. An officer reportedly suffered a laceration on his face from the shattering glass.
The charges against him include false imprisonment, attempting to flee or elude an officer and recklessly endangering safety. If convicted on all counts, he faces more than 33 years in state prison and fines upwards of $90,000.
https://www.nbc15.com/2023/08/29/semi-caught-fire-during-last-weeks-police-chase-wsp-reports/
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