Wisconsin Rapids Man Involved in High Speed Chase Enters Plea in Wood County Court

Friday, August 11th, 2023 -- 2:00 PM

A Wisconsin Rapids man involved in a high speed chase entered a plea in Wood County Court on Thursday.

According to the Wood County Sheriff’s Department, back on May 3rd of the year, at 9:14 a.m., a Sergeant with the Wood County Sheriff's Department attempted to stop a vehicle in the City of Wisconsin Rapids.

The Sergeant had knowledge of the operator to be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both and to have several outstanding felony warrants. During the initial attempt to perform a traffic stop, the operator of the vehicle was driving erratically.

The vehicle failed to stop and Wood County Sheriff's Department personnel pursued the vehicle. During the pursuit which covered approximately 15.75 miles, the operator of the suspect vehicle rammed an occupied Wood County Sheriff's Department squad and continued.

The pursuit entered private property in Portage County and the driver drove through a wooded area before fleeing on foot. He was taken into custody a short distance later. Speeds during the pursuit exceeded 100 mph.

The driver, Jesse James Koltz of Wisconsin Rapids, was arrested on several outstanding warrants to include:

• Felony warrants from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections;
• A felony warrant for Operating While Intoxicated 4th Offense;
• And several warrants for Felony Bail Jumping, Operating While Revoked, and Ignition Interlock Device Tampering/Failure to Install.

During his hearing on Thursday, Koltz pleaded guilty to 1st degree recklessly endangering safety, possession with intent/amphetamine, five counts of bail jumping, and vehicle operator flee/elude an officer. Several other charges were dismissed and read in. He’s scheduled for sentencing on October 30th.

The Wood County Sheriff's Department was assisted in the Pursuit by the:

• Wisconsin Rapids Police Department,
• Grand Rapids Police Department,
• Wisconsin State Patrol,
• Port Edwards Police Department,
• Portage County Sheriff's Office,
• And the Wood County Dispatch Center.

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