Janesville squad car involved in chase and crash
JANESVILLE A police squad car crashed into a fleeing vehicle after chasing it at 60 mph the wrong way on Court Street early today.
The crash caused minor damage to both vehicles, Lt. John Olsen said.
At about 1 a.m., officer Shawn Welte saw a Dodge Neon turn east off Madison Street into the westbound lanes of West Court Street, Olsen said.
When Welte began to pursue the vehicle, the driver accelerated away.
“The officer estimated he was driving at about 60 mph,” Olsen said of the short pursuit.
The officer chased the car east on Court Street, onto Centerway then Academy Street and into an alley in the 400 block of Harding Street, where the fleeing car stopped.
“With the ice, the squad car collided into it and suffered minor damage,” Olsen said.
An estimated $3,000 damage was done to the squad car and another $2,000 to the Dodge, Olsen said. The driver fled on foot but was caught by officers, Olsen said.
Ryan C. Montcalm, 20, of Janesville, was arrested on charges of drunken driving, fleeing an officer, reckless driving, operating after revocation, underage drinking and resisting.
The Wisconsin State Patrol was called to investigate and found no wrongdoing by the officer, Olsen said.
Montcalm was in custody this morning at the Rock County Jail.
Mar 28, 2008 at 3:15 p.m.
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Mean people who degrade others, belittle them and call names are a nuisance.
Mar 28, 2008 at 11:43 a.m.
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In today's public record:
RYAN C. MONTCALM, 20, of 418 Harding St., Apt. C, Janesville, on a charge of operating a motor vehicle without owner consent at 1:50 a.m. today at Centerway and Harding Street in Janesville.
Would he be considered a nuisance at this point?
Mar 8, 2008 at 11:51 a.m.
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Pigbrain-
I couldn't have said it better myself! lol!
Mar 8, 2008 at 10:02 a.m.
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Sometimes the only thing you should say is Nothing; this is one of those times.
Mar 8, 2008 at 9:38 a.m.
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Thanks to officer Welte for doing his job! The last thing I want, is people thinking they can do as they please without the police being able to protect us. Very important message.. our police officers will make people accountable for their actions and not let this happen. Thank you to the chief for not limiting the officers on the street.
Mar 7, 2008 at 10:12 p.m.
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I always thought that a police vehicle could be used as a battering ram to stop a criminal.
If not, I certainly do not know why not.
So a police vehicle gets damaged, whoop dee doo.
What would you rather have, a damaged vehicle or a criminal still at large???????
Mar 7, 2008 at 5:41 p.m.
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hope they charge Ryan C. Montcalm the costs to repair the squad car. hope it does not come out of the pockets of the citizens of janesville.
Mar 7, 2008 at 12:22 p.m.
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No kidding. Good Job JVPD. piznat: sounds like a pothead or at least has the mindset of one
Mar 7, 2008 at 11:51 a.m.
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PIZNAT: Red and blue lights be pull over to the side of the road, not to flee from the police. Ofc. Welte was doing his job. Good job for JVPD for stopping this car before he could have killed someone
Mar 7, 2008 at 10:28 a.m.
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piznat: C'mon, are you serious? He was chasing a drunk that was driving the wrong way on a one way street and tried to run! This is not the normal rear end crash. Things like this will happen when there are car chases!
Mar 7, 2008 at 10:21 a.m.
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I think Ryan should be at fault. Look at his record, this isn't his first underage drinking fine, and it's not his first time trying to get away from an officer.
This guy clearly has had several run-ins with the law and I highly doubt he's going to stop any time soon.
If Ryan wouldn't have fled from the officer, the officer never would have slid on ice and rear ended him.
That's my point of view at least.
Mar 7, 2008 at 9:48 a.m.
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Who is at fault? The officer did rear end the other car.
Mar 7, 2008 at 9:48 a.m.
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Thank goodness nobody was injured. Good job, JPD!
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