On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at approximately 8:08 AM, the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office was advised of a vehicle pursuit initiated by the Wisconsin State Patrol (WSP) that was entering Dunn County westbound on US Highway 12 toward Elk Mound. The suspect vehicle had reportedly fled after a Trooper approached it when making a traffic stop. The vehicle crashed into the ditch when exiting the freeway and then re-entered the roadway and fled westbound toward Dunn County at speeds in excess of 100 MPH.
The suspect vehicle was approaching the Village of Elk Mound and due to the time of day and amount of traffic, the pursuit was terminated for safety concerns in hopes the suspect would de-escalate his erratic driving behavior. Numerous Sheriff’s Office personnel responded toward the area. A Sheriff’s Office Captain clocked the suspect at 107 MPH on Highway 12 westbound as it was nearing the Village of Elk Mound, even after the pursuit had been stopped.
A Dunn County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to deploy a tire-deflation device (TDD) on the suspect vehicle after it had traveled through the Village of Elk Mound near Highway 40. The suspect evaded the TDD driving onto the gravel and grass shoulder; it continued northbound at speeds in excess of 100 MPH. A short time later, Dunn County Highway Department crews working on Highway 40 reported the vehicle was still driving erratic, speeding and traveling in the wrong lane.
A Sheriff’s Deputy then attempted to stop the vehicle on CTY TK B north of Menomonie due to the ongoing reckless driving behaviors, but it continued to flee. The Menomonie Police Department (MPD) attempted to deploy a TDD on CTY TK B near 650th Avenue but were unsuccessful when the suspect vehicle left the roadway and drove through the ditch to avoid the intervention. The suspect vehicle continued to drive recklessly through a marked work zone and then entered Interstate 94 traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes.
The suspect vehicle eventually turned around and exited the freeway into North Menomonie, where it traveled south at a high rate of speed. It turned onto Elm Avenue West where it stopped, and Sheriff’s Deputies pinned the vehicle in to prevent further escape and reckless behavior.
The driver was apprehended. He was identified as 47-year-old Roosevelt D. Gills of Chicago, IL. Gills was transported to the Dunn County Jail and held for charges of Felony Flee/Elude Officers, Felony Recklessly Endangering Safety, Possession of THC, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Fentanyl, and numerous traffic charges.
There was no property damage and no injuries reported as a result of the incident. If you were a witness or victim to the reckless or dangerous driving behaviors of this suspect, you are encouraged to fill out an online witness statement form available on the Sheriff’s Office website at www.DunnCountySheriff.com. Click on Resources and reference traffic case D24-00580.
Media release from the Dunn County Sheriff's Office.
