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Two Rivers man accused of ramming Manitowoc County squad car during traffic stop
A 27-year-old Two Rivers man faces OWI and fleeing charges after authorities say he backed into a Manitowoc County sheriff's squad car during a traffic stop early Sunday and then led deputies on a brief pursuit.
MANITOWOC, Wis. â A 27-year-old Two Rivers man is facing multiple criminal allegations after authorities say he rammed a Manitowoc County sheriff's squad car during a traffic stop early Sunday and then fled before being taken into custody a short time later.
The sheriff's office released video footage of the collision, which occurred after deputies pulled over the man's SUV on County Highway B. According to the sheriff's office, deputies initiated the stop after observing the vehicle traveling 64 mph in a 50 mph zone.
During the stop, deputies said the driver appeared to be impaired and refused to exit the vehicle. He then rammed the squad car, according to the sheriff's office, and drove away.
The driver traveled about two miles before deputies stopped him again and arrested him, the sheriff's office said.
He was booked into the Manitowoc County Jail on suspicion of operating while intoxicated, fleeing an officer, recklessly endangering safety and resisting or obstructing an officer. Formal charges had not been filed as of Monday evening, and the man's name was not immediately released.
The incident highlights the dangers law enforcement officers face during routine traffic stops, particularly when impaired driving is suspected. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, alcohol-related crashes remain a persistent problem on state roads, and officers are trained to watch for signs of impairment during stops.
No injuries were reported in the collision or the subsequent pursuit. The squad car sustained damage, but the sheriff's office did not provide an estimate of the cost.
The case remains under investigation, and the sheriff's office said it would forward reports to the Manitowoc County District Attorney's Office for review.