Marathon County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Vehicle Pursuit

WAUSAU, WI (OnFocus) – The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a vehicle pursuit that began in the Town of Mosinee and ended on U.S. Highway 51 in the City of Wausau during the early morning hours of June 5, 2024.

The driver, identified as 21-year-old Justin Allen Phillips of Mosinee, is in custody following the pursuit. Phillips was the lone occupant of the vehicle and was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries. He has since been released and transported to the Marathon County Jail. One Marathon County Deputy suffered minor injuries and is back working after receiving a medical evaluation.

At approximately 3:49 a.m., Deputies from the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of County Highway KK and Burma Road in the Town of Mosinee on a vehicle reported stolen by the Plover Police Department.

The driver failed to stop after Deputies turned on their vehicle’s emergency lights and siren, leading them on a pursuit through the City of Mosinee onto U.S. Highway 51, northbound. The Mountain Bay and Wausau Police Departments successfully used tire deflation devices to slow the vehicle down, allowing a Marathon County Sheriff’s Office Deputy to use a Pursuit Intervention Technique (P.I.T.) to end the pursuit. The car became disabled on U.S. Highway 51, north of Stewart Avenue. U.S. Highway 51 was temporarily closed while the driver could safely be taken into custody.

The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the Mountain Bay Police Department, the Wausau Police Department, and the Mosinee Police Department.

This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details will be provided at this time. The report is being forwarded to the Marathon County District Attorney’s Office for review of charges. We appreciate the support and cooperation of the public and local authorities. Any additional information will be posted to the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page when available.

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