EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WJMC) — A dangerous high-speed pursuit and crash in Eau Claire has killed a victim with ties to Chetek.
Family members, on social media, said 35-year-old Jack Ritchie was killed when his vehicle was struck by another vehicle fleeing from police. Ritchie was a 2009 graduate of Chetek, and a then member of a local rock band called Arts & Crafts.
The crash early Wednesday morning happened as police were attempting to stop a reckless driver that was speeding with no headlights and driving into oncoming traffic. The suspect’s vehicle crashed into Ritchie’s vehicle at the intersection of West Clairemont Avenue and Craig Road, starting a fire in Ritchie’s vehicle. Officers attempted to rescue Ritchie, but he died at the scene.
The suspect driver was arrested and taken to a local hospital, where they were combative and violent with police and hospital staff, authorities said. The suspect’s name has not been released at this time.
The crash was under investigation by Eau Claire Police, Wisconsin Department of Justice and the State Patrol.