On February 23, 2022, at approximately 12:16am, a Lake Hallie Police Officer was on patrol when he observed a dark colored SUV pulling a white camper on Hallie Road near 22nd Avenue, Lake Hallie, with the camper having no rear taillights activated. The officer activated his emergency lights and siren and attempted to stop the vehicle. The SUV did not stop, and the vehicle speed increased and swerved as it travelled south on Business Hwy 53. The pursuit went into the City of Eau Claire before going back into Lake Hallie. When the SUV reached the intersection of Melby St and Hwy 53, a female exited from the rear driver’s side door then the SUV continued north on Hwy 53.
While traveling north on Hwy 53, the SUV almost struck and ran a semi-truck and trailer off the road due to reckless driving. The SUV eventually traveled into the City of Chippewa Falls where Chippewa Falls PD officers were able to successfully deploy spike strips. The SUV again attempted to swerve on the road after running over the stop sticks, which caused the camper to overturn and become unhooked from the SUV. The SUV then traveled into a snowbank on the side of the road and became stuck while the camper was blocking both lanes of River St., near Wagner St, Chippewa Falls.
As officers attempted to take the male operator, identified as Daniel Nielsen (38 yoa from Kenosha), into custody, Nielsen moved from the driver’s seat, into the passenger seat and had his hands around a 41-year-old female’s head and neck and appeared to be grabbing near her throat area and stated he had a knife. Nielsen eventually let go of the female and was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody.
Officers learned that Nielsen had active warrants for Obstructing a court order, carrying a concealed knife, misdemeanor bail jumping, and Operating a Motor Vehicle while revoked from Eau Claire County. A vehicle search revealed multiple used needles along with a suspected methamphetamine glass smoking device. Nielsen was transported to St. Joseph’s hospital for medical clearance. Once he was in custody, Nielsen made threatening statements towards the officers. Nielsen was then transported to the Chippewa County Jail. The female was released from the scene.
In addition to the active warrants from Eau Claire County, Nielsen was arrested for Battery/Threat to Law Enforcement, 2nd Degree Reckless Endanger, Knowingly fleeing an officer, False Imprisonment, Possession of Methamphetamine Paraphernalia, and operating a motor vehicle while revoked.
Lake Hallie Police Department was assisted by the Chippewa Falls Police Department, Eau Claire Police Department, Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office, Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office, Stanley Police Department and Wisconsin State Patrol.
