Teen found dead in Franklin quarry days after police chase
FRANKLIN, Wis. - A 17-year-old boy was found dead in a quarry near 68th and Rawson in Franklin on Wednesday, July 19, four days after police said he was involved in a chase. Police said he ran from the vehicle into the quarry property.
The medical examiner identified him as Israel Islas-Mendez.
The chase started around 2 a.m. when police tried stopping the boy near Pennsylvania and Drexel for speeding. Police said one of his passengers ran from the vehicle, and the boy took off in the car, heading west on Drexel, reaching speeds of 102 miles per hour.
Police lost sight of the car near Drexel and Ikea Way, and the chase ended.
It started back up again when officers spotted the vehicle going west on Drexel.
Officers pursued the vehicle into the Franklin, with speeds reaching 93 mph.
Franklin quarry
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The vehicle hit a tire deflation device near 51st and Drexel, and police said the boy ran from the car.
Two passengers, 18-year-old men, were arrested.
Meanwhile, an officer chased the 17-year-old driver but called off the search due to hazards on the quarry property.
A K-9 unit and drone were used to search for him, but the boy wasn't found.
His family later contacted Oak Creek police to say they believed the boy had been involved in the pursuit because he didn't come home.
They had reported him missing to Milwaukee police.
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On Wednesday, police used a drone again, and investigators found the boy dead at the quarry. He was found by a search party 250 feet down the quarry on a rocky shelf.
Neighbors said they noticed police searching the quarry.
"We’ve had three major police events in a week, so I’m like, these have got to be related," said Dallas Schurg. "(Wednesday), coming home from work, there was a lot more police activity."
They said they never imagined the outcome.
"It’s very sad to hear that somebody that young has lost their life," said Schurg. "I’m praying for that family."
"It gets very dark out here," another neighbor said. "There’s no streetlights."
Some neighbors saw police arresting the two 18-year-old passengers.
"They had a car pulled over, and they were telling people to exit the car with their hands up," a neighbor said. "They were under arrest."
"I saw a person walking backwards with his hands up," said Debbie Eggert.
The third passenger ended up getting away.