Portage, WI – Columbia County deputies were involved in a series of high-speed chases and multiple arrests tied to impaired driving over the Labor Day weekend, authorities confirmed.
According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, deputies engaged in three separate pursuits between Friday and early Sunday morning. The first incident occurred Friday evening around 6:50 p.m. in Lewiston Township, when a deputy attempted a traffic stop on a motorcycle with no registration plates. The rider allegedly fled at a high speed. That case remains under investigation, and charges are pending.
The second pursuit took place around 1:35 a.m. Saturday on Interstate 90/94 near the 114-mile marker. Deputies reported that a vehicle reached speeds of 136 mph before the driver was stopped and taken into custody. The driver was identified as Benjamin Essien, 18, of Chicago.
The third pursuit happened around 4:05 a.m. Saturday on Highway 60 near McCully Road in Lodi Township. Deputies said a vehicle driven by a juvenile fled at a high rate of speed before crashing into a cornfield. An additional passenger, identified as Laila Ruddy, 18, of Reedsburg, was arrested and booked on possession-related charges. Two juveniles were also taken into custody for possession offenses and fleeing law enforcement.
Authorities also responded to impaired driving crashes, including one near Tipperary Road in Columbia County. In that case, deputies said a 21-year-old Prairie du Sac woman, identified as Anna Ganser, was arrested for impaired driving after allegedly striking a parked truck.
The Sheriff’s Office stated it was assisted by local police, EMS, and towing agencies throughout the weekend. Officials reiterated their zero-tolerance policy for impaired driving, emphasizing that arrests are accusations and all individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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