Man flees traffic stop, leads CAPD officer on high-speed chase

Colby-Abbotsford Police Officer Christian LeMay was led on a high speed chase throughout Marathon County on February 13, according to a CAPD police report. Le-May was working in Abbotsford, conducting stationary radar on Hwy. 29 around 3 a.m. on February 13 when he observed a vehicle traveling 80 mph in a 65 mph zone. LeMay observed the vehicle approach the Colby-Abbotsford exit and rapidly take the off ramp. LeMay noted it appeared the driver took the exit at the last second based on the vehicle’s erratic movement in the roadway. LeMay caught up to the vehicle and noticed the vehicle had a defective driver’s side brake light.

LeMay initiated a traffic stop but the vehicle did not pull over. LeMay activated his siren and provided dispatch with the registration. The vehicle continued traveling north and drove at approximately 60 mph in a posted 45 mph zone. LeMay activated different siren tones, but the driver continued traveling north, not providing LeMay with any indication of stopping. As the vehicle approached the intersection of Elm Street and Hwy. 13, the vehicle maintained a speed of 60 mph in a 25 mph zone. LeMay activated his spotlight and directed the beam at the driver.

The vehicle turned onto East Spruce Street from Hwy. 13 and rapidly accelerated. Le-May noted that speeds in the pursuit approached 90 mph in a 35 mph zone.

The vehicle continued to travel at a high rate of speed with LeMay’s speed reaching 120 mph. The vehicle continued to flee, disregarding stop signs at Huckleberry Road, County Road N, Mullberry Road and Chokecherry Road. LeMay pursued the vehicle for a time but lost sight of the vehicle while approaching County Road P.

LeMay advised dispatch that the pursuit had been terminated. Dispatch had already notified Marathon County of the pursuit and deputies were traveling toward the area. A short time later, LeMay was advised that Marathon County had also lost visual of the vehicle and had terminated the pursuit.

LeMay returned to Colby and remained on Hwy. 13 to ensure the vehicle did not travel north as the vehicle registered owner had an address of Park Falls. The vehicle was never located traveling north.

Later in the night, LeMay received a call from dispatch advising Marathon County deputies had located the vehicle crashed in a field on 153 near North Galvin Avenue near Stratford. LeMay was notified that multiple officers had been dispatched to the area and had arrived on-scene. The abandoned vehicle was cleared and no one was located near the crash.

LeMay was notified that the Iron County Sheriff’s Department had spoken to the driver’s parents who didn’t know why he was in the area.

The next day, CAPD officer Nicholas Rudolph went to D& AAuto where the suspect’s car had been towed. Rudolph searched the abandoned vehicle which had a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Rudolph located three documents on the passengers seat that had the driver’s name on it.

Rudolph found a receipt in the center console with the driver’s name on it as well as a receipt for a money wire transfer from the driver to a person in Illinois for about $2,000 in the glove box. The documents were collected as evidence.

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Rudolph located a large quantity of green, leafy substance scattered about the vehicle, mainly on the driver’s seat/floor and both rear floor boards. Rudolph collected some larger pieces for testing for marijuana. The evidence was taken back to the CAPD.

Later that day, Rudolph was made aware that the driver had been located and detained in the Stratford area and he was being brought to the CAPD to be interviewed.

Rudolph met with Jeffrey Skaggs, 50, of Park Falls, who said he was visiting a woman in Eau Claire and had been heading back to his residence in Park Falls.

LeMay asked Skaggs why he did not stop the car earlier that morning. Skaggs thought for a bit and said that he would sum it up as an honest ridiculous decision. Skaggs said he generally makes good decisions with his life and in his work responsibilities but not stopping this instance was not one of those times. Skaggs said he was pretty ashamed of himself at the time of the interview. He said the marijuana that was found in the backseat was not his and was a friend’s.

After the interview, Skaggs was taken to the Clark County Jail. Skaggs was cited for exceeding speed zones (45+ mph) through Marathon County and cited for exceeding speed zones (11-15 mph), operating while revoked (criminal) through Clark County.

According to court documents, Skaggs is also being criminally charged for vehicle operator flee/elude officer and possession of marijuana (2nd+ offense), both Class I felonies, in Clark County.

A cash bond of $25,000 was set during a bond hearing on February 14. Skaggs will also be required to not drive a motor vehicle during this pending matter, maintain absolute sobriety from all alcohol, and substances unless prescribed and then shall be taken only as prescribed, have no contact with anyone involved in illegal drug activities, except in a therapeutic setting and remain out of bars, taverns, liquor stores, or any place whose primary purpose is the sale or consumption of alcohol.

An initial appearance in Clark County court is set for March 19 in Neillsville.