Portage Co. husband & wife found driving at 110mph on Highway 45 after Silver Alert issued

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- A Silver Alert was issued for a Portage County couple on Thursday night, April 7th, and they were found early Friday morning, April 8th, when their vehicle was clocked at 110 miles-per-hour on U.S. Highway 45 in Washington County.

According to officials with the Washington County Sheriff's Office, around 1:45 a.m. on Friday, a deputy was monitoring traffic on Highway 45 near County Highway PV in Washington County when the northbound vehicle was clocked at 110 miles-per-hour.

Upon making contact with the driver and passenger, the deputy noted them to be confused and disoriented.

The 90-year-old man and his 88-year-old wife indicated they were on their way to Georgia to visit family and didn't know why they had been stopped. The gas gauge showed their vehicle was nearly empty, and their location and direction was not consisted with their intended route of travel.

The deputy learned through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation that there was a statewide Amber Alert for this couple -- issued by the Portage County Sheriff's Office on Thursday night, just before 11:00 p.m.

The husband and wife had apparently left their home in Amherst to get their taxes done at an H&R Block inside the Walmart store in the Village of Plover and they did not return.

According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, given the circumstances, enforcement action other than a speeding ticket was taken in this case.

Law enforcement officers have the ability to report at-risk drivers to the Wisconsin DOT Medical Review Unit.

The reports, called a Driver Condition and Behavior Reports, are submitted when law enforcement has contact with a driver who exhibited concerning or dangerous behavior that may have been caused by a medical condition or a lack of driving skills.

It is important to note that age alone is not sufficient cause for the DMV to take action on a report.

Depending on the medical information received, the driver may have to complete and pass written and practical tests with the DMV to remain licensed.

In this case, that report was filed with the DMV by the Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff's deputies stood by with the elderly couple until family members were able to respond.

After this incident, the immediate family is re-evaluating allowing the couple to drive.