Deputies say they pursued Joshua P. Smith, 27, Ogdensburg, nearly 50 miles at speeds reaching 100 mph before he crashed his vehicle on U.S. Highway 45 and State Highway 76 near Bear Creek.
Smith was charged with fleeing an officer, resisting an officer, second-degree reckless endangerment and illegal possession of prescription drugs.
Shortly before 3:30 a.m. Sunday, March 29, Waupaca County Sheriff’s Deputy Bryan Strobusch was southbound on Depot Street in Manawa when he observed a northbound vehicle with no front license plate. He turned around and activated his emergency lights to make a traffic stop. He also illuminated the vehicle with his spotlight.
According to the criminal complaint, the vehicle signaled as if it was going to pull over, but turned east on Fourth Street and accelerated to a high speed.
The vehicle continued on Fourth Street, running stop signs and reaching 100 mph, the complaint says.
The car made numerous turns on back roads until it made its way onto U.S. 45 where deputies set up stop sticks, causing the vehicle to lose control and go into a ditch.
When Strobusch saw the driver, later identified as Smith, get out of the car and run, he chased him on foot and escorted him to the ground.
Strobusch reported finding 1 1/2 Adderall pills in a plastic bag in Smith’s pocket.