Woman Flees Police at 100 MPH, Is Arrested After Crash: Report

MILWAUKEE, WI — A 31-year-old South Milwaukee woman has been arrested after authorities said she fled police at more than 100 miles per hour before crashing into a pole in Oak Creek.

Authorities said that early Thursday at about 3:00 a.m., a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding and unsafe lane deviations on I-794 near W. Oklahoma Avenue. The driver refused to stop, accelerated to speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour and exited on W. Layton Avenue to S. 76th Street, and failed to stop for red traffic signals.

The driver, later identified as Jessica L. Dettlaff of South Milwaukee, re-entered the freeway on I-43 east at high speeds, then turned onto to I-94, exiting at Highway 119 near Mitchell International Airport before heading onto surface streets at Howell Ave. in Oak Creek.

Authorities notified police in Oak Creek of the vehicle pursuit heading towards their community. Oak Creek police successfully deployed stop sticks that flattened the rear tire of Dettlaff's vehicle at the intersection of S. Howell Avenue and W. College Avenue.

Authorities said Dettlaff wasn't done, as she continued driving to a parking lot in the 6900 block of S. Howell Avenue, onto a grassy area, where she struck a pole. She was not injured.

Authorities said the total distance of the pursuit was 18.3 miles. Dettlaff passed all field sobriety tests, and was arrested on suspicion of the following charges, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's office: 2nd Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Fleeing/Eluding an Officer, and Bail Jumping. She was also cited for Unreasonable and Imprudent Speed. If convicted on the felony charges, she faces up to 19 and one-half years in prison.

Milwaukee County Sheriff Schmidt said, “ Fortunately, no one was injured by her actions, and now this fleeing felon can sit in jail. Don't attempt to flee from police.”

The Oak Creek Police Department is conducting the crash investigation.

Milwaukee County Jail Photo