Good work in the field: New Berlin officer to receive an award for his actions following pursuit & crash

NEW BERLIN (WITI) -- A New Berlin police officer will be honored for his actions following a pursuit that ended in a crash back in December 2014.

The pursuit occurred on December 29th, and ended in a crash on Greenfield Avenue at Elm Grove Road.

New Berlin Police Officer Josh Ledzian attempted to stop the van for reckless driving, but the driver decided to flee instead.

 

That driver was wanted on a temporary felony warrant for his involvement in a carjacking incident in Milwaukee in which a gunshot was fired, according to police.

The driver lost control of his van as it was traveling at about 80 miles per hour, and the van rolled multiple times.

The driver was partially ejected. He was trapped under the van which started on fire.

New Berlin Police Chief Joe Rieder says Officer Ledzian and other officers on the scene after the crash were able to push the van up far enough to remove the driver from underneath it and take him into custody.

As a result of his actions, Officer Ledzian has been  selected to receive the Wisconsin Professional Police Association 2015 Meritorious Service Award.