Lieutenant dragged by vehicle fleeing traffic stop, driver arrested after pursuit and crash

Matthew Ellcey

DODGE COUNTY -- A 22-year-old Waupun man was taken into custody late Tuesday night, March 21st after he crashed his vehicle during a police pursuit that lasted three hours. A sheriff's lieutenant was dragged for a short distance as the suspect fled.

It began around 11:40 p.m. when Dodge County deputies made a traffic stop on State Highway 49 near Shamrock Road in the Town of Chester.

"During the investigation, they noticed the driver became very nervous, physically nervous," said Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt.

Sheriff Schmidt said the driver, 22-year-old Matthew Ellcey, put his car into drive to get away. The lieutenant opened the car door, attempting to shift the car back into park.

"As the car was moving, he realized he needed to get out of the car, and so he kind of did the tuck and roll and got out of the car and unfortunately, sustained some minor injuries to his right side," said Schmidt.

Ellcey allegedly led the deputy on a high-speed chase into Waupun, where he crashed his car at the intersection of E. Main Street and S. Watertown Street.

"The driver then exited the vehicle and took off on foot through the streets of Waupun," said Schmidt.

Officers from nearby police departments and K-9 units helped deputies secure a perimeter around a manufacturing business down the street, where they believed Ellcey was hiding. But Schmidt said Ellcey eluded law enforcement once again -- putting the public at even greater risk.

"Not knowing if he is armed or if he has any intentions, what he's going to do," Schmidt said.

Three hours after the initial traffic stop, the Dodge County Sheriff's Office received information that Ellcey was at a friend's house on the other side of town. Schmidt said he handcuffed the suspect himself.

Dale Schmidt

"He did come out willingly and peacefully and we were able to take him into custody," Schmidt said.

Ellcey is expected to be in court on Thursday, March 23rd.

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office is recommending the Dodge County district attorney charge Ellcey with knowingly fleeing an officer and obstructing an officer causing injury.

More charges could follow as the investigation continues.

The Wisconsin State Patrol handled the investigation of the crash.