MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — One of the suspects involved in two high-speed chases which injured a K-9 deputy was sentenced to five years in prison.
Juan Flores, 29, was also placed on extended supervision for five years, probation for three years after that, and had his driver’s license revoked for six months, during last week’s sentencing, according to a court official.
Jessica Loney was previously sentenced to 18 months in prison for her role in the chase.
The incident started early in the morning on April 16, 2022, when deputies tried to pull a reported stolen SUV over on U.S. Highway 10 near Village Drive in the town of Manitowoc Rapids.
The operator, later identified as Flores, continued to drive recklessly, traveling at speeds in excess of 100 mph, deputies say. When the vehicle turned onto Industrial Park Drive, a dead-end road, Flores allegedly proceeded to ram police vehicles, causing damage and airbag deployment. Flores then tried to run away before being arrested.
Loney, who was the passenger, got into the driver’s seat and proceeded to use the vehicle to push two squads out of the way to flee authorities, deputies say. In doing so, she almost struck deputies and pinched K9 officer Leon in-between two vehicles.
A second pursuit began as the SUV went southbound on Mud Creek Road, eastbound on Goodwin Road, northbound on Grimms Road and westbound on U.S. Highway 10.
To end the chase, deputies successfully used a P.I.T. (pursuit intervention technique) and caused the SUV to go into the ditch. Loney got out of the vehicle and was immediately arrested.
In total, the pursuits lasted 14 minutes and covered 15 miles.
