Washington Co. Sheriff's Office investigating officer-involved death that happened in Fond du Lac

FOND DU LAC COUNTY -- The Washington County Sheriff's Office is investigating an officer-involved death that occurred in Fond du Lac County.

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office contacted the Washington County Sheriff's Office to request assistance in this investigation, as state statue requires the primary ensuing investigation of an individual’s death as a result of an action or inaction by law enforcement must be completed by an investigative team from an independent agency.

This incident began during the early evening hours on Monday, March 21st, when Fond du Lac County Sheriff's officials were investigating a report of a suicidal individual.

The 18-year-old Campbellsport man had been posting suicidal statements on social media and texting acquaintances several hours prior to the incident.

The man was located around 9:15 p.m, driving on Town Hall Road in the Town of Auburn. Deputies attempted to stop him to check his welfare, but officials say the man continued driving at low speeds for about a half-mile with two deputies following in separate squad cars.

Near the intersection of County Highway SS and River Road, the man turned his vehicle around and drove toward deputies at a low to moderate speed, officials say.

At this point, the squads partially blocked the road and the man’s vehicle and one of the squad cars collided.

The man’s vehicle continued off the road and struck a tree.

At that point, officials say it appears the man shot himself with a handgun.

Deputies did not fire their weapons.

Deputies extricated the man from the car and provided life-saving measures until relieved by a rescue squad. The man later died at the hospital.

The Fond du Lac County deputies involved are ages 50 and 30 and have 27 and four years of law enforcement experience respectively.

Washington County detectives and accident reconstruction personnel were on the scene and are investigating the incident.

Squad video captured some of the incident.