Milwaukee U-Haul police chase, multiple crashes; man accused
Willie Nelson
MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee man is accused of leading deputies on a 16-mile chase in a U-Haul in November.
Prosecutors said 45-year-old Willie Nelson had an active warrant for a parole violation when he took off in the box truck last month.
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132 phone calls
The case began days before the pursuit. According to a criminal complaint, a sheriff's office detective had left his business card on a number of houses near Carver Park as he investigated a shooting. Nelson called the detective 132 times over the course of six days about wanting to "resolve issues" and share knowledge of weapons linked to "cold cases."
During the calls, court filings said Nelson appeared to be "intoxicated and having mental health needs." Investigators learned Nelson had an active warrant for a parole violation and was known to drive a U-Haul box truck.
Police chase of U-Haul truck ends near 52nd and Glendale, Milwaukee
U-Haul chase
Deputies went to Nelson's neighborhood to look for him on Tuesday, Nov. 26. Around 9:45 a.m. that morning, prosecutors said they saw the U-Haul near Halyard and Brown and tried to pull it over, but the box truck instead sped away.
The complaint states the U-Haul fled down King Drive, ignoring multiple traffic signs and signals, before hitting a concrete crosswalk ramp – causing one of its tires to explode. It nearly crashed into a minivan.
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Prosecutors said the chase turned onto Capitol Drive, where the U-Haul sped up to more than 70 mph and swerved out of the way of stop sticks, nearly hitting several vehicles.
As the pursuit continued, court filings said the driver appeared to lose control in the area of 35th and Congress, where the U-Haul crashed into a parked car. The box truck then spun around and drove directly at oncoming squads involved in the chase – nearly hitting them head-on. Those squads then swerved, and some of them collided with one another.
Police chase of U-Haul truck ends near 52nd and Glendale, Milwaukee
After the squads collided, the pursuit was temporarily called off. It resumed but ended when prosecutors said the driver lost control a second time, causing another crash near 52nd and Glendale. The driver, then identified as Nelson, refused to get out. Deputies forcefully removed him and took him into custody.
Court filings said the chase stretched 16.35 miles, and top speeds reached 80 mph.
In court
Nelson is charged with fleeing police, first-degree recklessly endangering safety, second-degree recklessly endangering safety and misdemeanor hit-and-run.
Court records show Nelson is being held in the Milwaukee County Jail on $13,000 bond. He is due back in court in January.