On Thursday, June 10, 2021, at 8:28 p.m., the Barron County Sheriff’s Department received a call advising of a black sedan swerving and traveling at a high rate of speed on 19th Street near 16 1⁄2 Avenue.
A Sheriff’s Deputy attempted a traffic stop on 19th Street south of the roundabout. The driver stopped on County O near Highway 53 and then took off. A chase ensued eastbound on County O with the suspect’s vehicle hitting the curb through the roundabout and then proceeded northbound on Pioneer Avenue reaching speeds of 75 miles per hour. The suspect’s vehicle lost a tire during the pursuit as a result of hitting the curb in the roundabout.
The suspect then went eastbound on Bracklin Street and turned into an alley. The suspect then fled on foot. As deputies pursued the suspect on foot, Sheriff Fitzgerald was injured and transported to Marshfield Medical Center and later released with leg and arm injuries.
Two Rice Lake Police Officers located Mr. Strand near Mastercraft and he was taken into custody without incident.
29 year old Donnie Strand, of Rice Lake, was apprehended on fleeing causing injury and OWI 2nd and is being held at the Barron County Jail awaiting formal charges by the Barron County District Attorney’s Office.
