LACROSSE, Wis. – A three-vehicle smashup that ended a police chase on Interstate 90 in Minnesota near Lewiston on February 23 began in LaCrosse. Police in LaCrosse gave this account: A caller noted a vehicle still parked at s business on Green Bay Street 20 minutes after closing. The vehicle was gone when police arrived. But with a description and plate number from a witness, the officer spotted the vehicle southbound on West Avenue and initiated a pursuit. After the officer activated the squad car’s emergency lights, the driver accelerated to 60 mph in a 25 mph zone and ran a red light at West Avenue and Green Bay. The driver ran another red light at West and South avenues. The officer broke off the chase for safety reason. Believing the driver was headed to Interstate 90 and Minnesota, police contacted Winona County authorities, who picked up the chase. The chase ended 40 miles later with a spike strip that sent the vehicle into the median, where it was struck by an oncoming semi-truck and slammed back into a pursuing sheriff’s car. The driver, Carl A. Hauge, 43, was taken to the Winona hospital with injures. Also to the hospital was a companion, Katherine Harper. Nobody else was injured. Haugen was charged in Winona County with two counts of fleeing. Haugen also faces charge of fleeing in La Crosse County.
Earlier: Three-vehicle I-90 smashup ends 120-mph police chase