BARRON, Wis. (WJMC) — A ninth OWI charge for a motorcycle rider after a chase in Barron that hit speeds of 130 mph.
On Sunday evening, a Barron Police officer on Highway 8 attempted to stop a motorcycle after running the plate and finding the registered owner did not have a valid motorcycle license. The bike turned north onto 18th Street in the city, and slowed while the driver and passenger spoke to each other, then fled at speed, continuing out of the city on 16th Street and then west on 18th Avenue, reaching speeds between 90 and 130 mph.
After about 10 miles, the rider attempted to drive into tall grass but became stuck. Still attempting to flee, the officer deployed a Tazer on the driver, then pushed the riders off the bike to stop them.
Arrested were 52-year-old Mark R. Smith, of Eau Claire, and 47-year-old Ann M. Lato, also of Eau Claire.
Smith was charged with OWI 9th offense, fleeing and eluding an officer, driving while revoked, failing to install an ignition interlock device, bail jumping and other traffic citations. Lato was arrested on resisting an officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.