Two-vehicle accident leads to high-speed pursuit, school lockdown

A high-speed chase following a two-vehicle accident on Highway 17 prompted a temporary lockdown of Rhinelander schools Monday.

According to an Oneida County sheriff’s office press release, at approximately 1:45 p.m. a motorist called to advise that their vehicle had been struck by another vehicle attempting to pass in a no passing zone on Highway 17 North at Chick-A-Dee Peek Road. 

“Once the vehicles pulled over, the striking vehicle hit the caller again,” the release states. “The caller stated that the operator of the striking vehicle was attempting to start an altercation with the caller. Oneida County deputies responded and observed the vehicle leaving the accident (scene).”

Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle but it accelerated and a pursuit was initiated, the release states.

“The (operator of the) vehicle committed several traffic offenses including reaching speeds of over 100 mph while continuing to travel south on Highway 17 N,” the release states. “The vehicle then turned onto Stevens Street and continued into the City of Rhinelander at a high rate of speed. The operator also failed to stop for stop signs, traffic signals, operating in the oncoming lane of travel and passing on the right. The vehicle turned onto Oneida Avenue and then onto Highway 8 West where a short distance later an Oneida County Deputy successfully performed a PIT (pursuit intervention technique), however the operator drove out of the ditch and continued on Highway 8 West.  

The operator continued east on Kemp Street and turned north on Oneida Avenue. The operator continued to Frederick Street then onto Baird Avenue then east on Timber Drive. The operator went east on Timber Drive and as the operator crossed Highway 17 N an Oneida County deputy rammed the operator’s vehicle. The operator continued down County Highway C. The operator then drove north onto the east end of Camp Brynn Afron Road.”

The chase ended after the operator, later identified as Daniel Thunder, 51, of Neopit, turned down a logging road, the sheriff’s office said. 

As a precautionary measure, Rhinelander schools were put on administrative lockdown during the pursuit, the department advised.

Members of the Rhinelander Police Department assisted deputies in the pursuit.

Thunder was scheduled to make an initial appear appearance in Oneida County Circuit Court Thursday on numerous traffic-related citations. According to the sheriff’s department, the following charges were referred to the District Attorney’s office for consideration: Operating While Intoxicated #1, 2nd Degree Reckless Endangering Safety, Felony Fleeing, Operate Motor Vehicle without Owner’s Consent, Negligent Operation of Motor Vehicle, Disorderly Conduct with Motor Vehicle, Physical Abuse of Elder, Hit and Run Attended Vehicle, Fail to Stop/Sign, Fail to Stop for Traffic Control Signal (x3), Left of Center, Exceed Posted Speed Limits, Passing on Right, Passing in No Passing Zone, Improper Parking on Roadway, Operate While License Suspended, Fail to Submit to Alcohol Test and Trespass to Land.