High Speed Chase in Wood and Portage Counties

Wednesday, June 21st, 2023 -- 2:00 PM

On June 20th at 2:11am, a Wood County Sheriff's Department Deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle near Hwy 66 and 2nd Avenue in the Township of Rudolph.

The attempted traffic stop was for a speed related offense and reckless driving. In the attempted traffic stop the suspect vehicle did not yield to the commands to stop and a high speed pursuit ensued. The pursuit continued into Portage County and reached speeds over 115 mph.

Units from the Portage County Sheriff's Department and Stevens Point Police Department joined in the pursuit upon entering into their Portage County. In an effort to stop the suspect vehicle a tire deflation device was deployed near Hwy HH. This attempt was successful.

A short time later the vehicle crashed and the operator, 24-year-old Zachary Richard Zywicki, fled on foot. A K9 Unit from the Plover Police Department initiated a track on Zywicki. The K9 track continued for approximately one hour near the area of Hwy 66 and Riverview Avenue.

The K9 track was successful and Zywicki was taken into custody. Zywicki was arrested for felony fleeing, operating while under the influence and issued various citations for traffic related violations.

In this incident The Wood County Sheriff's Department was assisted by the Portage County Sheriff's Department, Stevens Point Police Department, Plover Police Department, Plover Police Department K9 Unit and Nieman's Tow Service.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.