The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is currently conducting a death investigation in the Town of Grand Chute, Wisconsin. The incident took place on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.
Outagamie County District Attorney Mindy Tempelis has determined that this incident does not constitute an Officer-Involved Death, as defined by Wisconsin law. Therefore, it is now being treated as a death investigation.
According to reports, the Town of Grand Chute Police Department received a call at approximately 2:08 p.m. regarding an individual committing retail theft at the Fleet Farm on W. Wisconsin Ave. When officers arrived at the scene, they encountered the suspect who then fled in a vehicle at a high rate of speed. However, the suspect lost control of the vehicle a short distance away, collided with another vehicle, and crashed into a tree.
Despite attempts to save the individual's life, they tragically died at the scene. The two occupants of the other vehicle involved in the collision sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Fortunately, no law enforcement officers were injured during the incident. It is worth noting that the responding officer's vehicle had a squad camera, which may provide crucial evidence for the ongoing investigation.
The Wisconsin State Patrol, along with a Crime Response Specialist and members of the DCI's Digital Evidence Unit, are assisting in the investigation. However, at this time, no further information is available.
Media inquiries should be directed to the Wisconsin Department of Justice as they continue their efforts to uncover the details surrounding this unfortunate incident.