Vehicle Pursuit Leads to OWI Second Arrest

On Dec. 31 at approximately 11:02 p.m., Rock County Sheriff’s Office Deputies initiated a vehicle pursuit with an erratic driver of a pick-up truck on S. USH 51 by Inman Pkwy. in the town of Beloit. The pick-up truck was involved in a brief pursuit with the town of Beloit Police Department before Deputies came across the pick-up truck as it was traveling north on S. USH 51 at a high rate of speed and driving in a manner in which was endangering other motorists.

The pursuit continued north on S. USH 51 and reached speeds of approximately 100 mph. Deputies successfully deployed Stop Sticks and one of the trucks tires deflated. The pursuit continued north on S. USH 51 as the pick-up truck started to slow. The driver extinguished the headlights of the pick-up truck and started driving at oncoming southbound vehicles. Deputies successfully deployed a second set of Stop Sticks and deflated another truck tire. The pick-up truck crossed over once again in to the southbound lane and continued traveling north on S. USH 51.

A Deputy performed a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) and the pick-up truck came to a controlled stop in the west ditch of S. USH 51 by W. Airport Road. Deputies made contact with the driver, who produced a knife, while sitting inside the cab of the pick-up truck. Deputies negotiated with the driver and when the driver refused to drop the knife, OC spray and a taser were deployed, and the driver was taken into custody.

The driver, Robert A. Carothers, 23, of Beloit was arrested for Reckless Endangering Safety, Felony Fleeing, and OWI Second. Additional charges may be added at a later date as the investigation is ongoing at this time. Carothers was held at the Rock County Jail pending his court appearance on Jan. 3.

S. USH 51 was closed for approximately one hour and traffic was rerouted during the incident. The Janesville Police Department and town of Beloit Police Department assisted with the incident. Two Rock County Sheriff’s Office squad cars received minor damage as a result of the PIT maneuver and the Wisconsin State Patrol was called in to investigate the traffic accident.

Pursuant to the directive of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicity, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.