Wisconsin Rapids Man Sentenced for High Speed Chase

Tuesday, October 31st, 2023 -- 11:01 AM

A Wisconsin Rapids man involved in a high speed chase was sentenced in Wood County Court on Monday.

According to the Wood County Sheriff’s Department, back on May 3rd of this 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 a hearing back in August, 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. On Monday, he was sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison and 8 years of extended supervision.

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