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PESHTIGO, Wis. — As of Friday, October 24, 2025, investigators have not released the names of the two people killed when a vehicle fleeing a Wisconsin sheriff's deputy slammed into their car.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the inquiry into the fatal collision Thursday evening in the Town of Peshtigo. The crash happened at the entrance to a gas station near the intersection of Old Peshtigo and Country Meadows roads.
According to DCI, a Marinette County sheriff's deputy attempted to pull over a vehicle shortly after 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The driver refused to stop and fled from the scene. Minutes later, the fleeing vehicle struck another vehicle, killing both people inside.
Two people in the fleeing vehicle suffered serious injuries and were transported to hospitals in the Milwaukee area. Their conditions have not been provided.
The deputy involved in the pursuit has been placed on administrative duty, a customary step under the sheriff's office policy while the incident is under review.
DCI is coordinating the investigation with help from the Marinette Police Department, the Wisconsin State Patrol, and a DCI Crime Response Specialist. Officials say all law enforcement agencies are cooperating fully.
The involvement of the state investigative team is significant. In Wisconsin, DCI is routinely called in when a law enforcement action results in death, especially when the incident may be tied to a pursuit. Bringing in outside investigators helps ensure the review is independent from the local agencies involved.
While DCI has not released a timeline for the investigation, cases like this typically include several steps:
The findings will help authorities determine whether any charges are appropriate and whether departmental pursuit policies were followed.
Fatal crashes involving drivers who flee traffic stops have become a focus in Wisconsin and across the country. Law enforcement agencies face a difficult balance: stopping a dangerous driver matters, but so does public safety. Pursuits can escalate quickly, especially in areas near busy highways, gas stations, and residential roads.
In this case, the crash happened right by a gas station entrance on a county road, an area where other drivers and pedestrians could have been put at risk. The fact that two innocent people died before the pursuit ended highlights the potential consequences of a suspect's decision to run.
The Marinette County Sheriff's Office has not yet commented beyond referring the investigation to DCI. The deputy's name has not been released, and administrative duty does not necessarily indicate wrongdoing. It is often used to allow a deputy time to recover from the incident and avoid any conflict of interest while the review is underway.
DCI will compile its findings into a report. Depending on what those findings show, local prosecutors could review the case for possible criminal charges against the driver who fled. Civil liabilities will also likely be examined separately.
The identities of the two deceased victims are expected to be announced after family notification procedures are completed. Authorities have asked for patience and privacy for those involved.
The crash serves as a grim reminder that a simple traffic stop can turn deadly in a matter of minutes. For now, investigators are working to piece together exactly what happened before, during, and after the pursuit. The focus remains on providing answers to the families and determining whether policy changes may be needed in the future.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as DCI releases further information.
