A stolen vehicle carrying four teenagers ended up in an Oak Creek pond late Monday night after a police pursuit that reached speeds of more than 80 mph.
The vehicle had been reported stolen from Green Bay, according to FOX6 Milwaukee. Police later took all four teenagers into custody following the crash.
One of the teenagers, a 15-year-old boy, had reportedly been listed as missing from Green Bay only a few hours before the traffic stop. WISN 12 reported that the teenager was later turned over to juvenile authorities in Green Bay.
The other passengers included a 16-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl. It was reported that both were ultimately released to their parents.
The 16 year old girl was apprehended with help from Caledonia police K9 Rip. She suffered a dog bite and was treated for minor injuries at a hospital before being released.
How the Chase Unfolded
According to Caledonia police information reported by WTMJ, an officer first noticed the vehicle traveling on Highway 32 without a license plate. The officer attempted to stop the car, but the driver continued through the area.
The pursuit began at about 11:50 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, with the vehicle reaching speeds above 80 mph before entering Oak Creek. The driver later turned off the headlights and continued toward Oakwood Road.
As the driver attempted to turn east near Oakwood Road, the vehicle lost control and crashed into a pond. The pond wasn’t deep enough for the vehicle to become fully submerged, allowing the occupants to get out. Three of the teenagers then ran from the scene.
A Caledonia officer and K9 Rip apprehended one of the teenagers, while Oak Creek police helped locate the other three before all four were in custody by about 12:15 a.m. Tuesday.
Driver Faces Recommended Charges
The driver was identified by police as a 17-year-old girl. She was taken to a hospital after suffering minor injuries before being booked into the Racine County Jail.
Police recommended charges of fleeing and recklessly endangering safety. CBS 58 stated that a charge for operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent is pending because the vehicle was reported stolen from Green Bay.
Police have not reported serious injuries among the four teenagers.
“It’s extremely dangerous. The driver put three occupants in the vehicle at risk for significant injury. None of the occupants had valid driver’s licenses,” Caledonia Police Lt. Rob Mueller said via WBAY.
“There’s no reason for those teens to be out that late at night, especially on a school night.”