MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A sheriff’s deputy will not face criminal charges in connection with a high-speed chase that ended with a fatal crash.
Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre ruled that Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Roehl was justified in his actions during the Dec. 22 chase.
LaBre’s investigation revealed that Roehl clocked Forest Springstube’s vehicle at 90 mph on Interstate 43, where the speed limit is 70 mph. Roehl tried to pull over the vehicle, but it sped off, exiting onto Highway 310. Springstube led Roehl on a chase, with speeds reaching 105 mph. Springstube eventually lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a power pole.
Springstube died at the scene.
LaBre concluded:
“(Roehl) was attempting to stop an automobile that was traveling more than 20 miles per hour over the speed limit. The automobile continued to pull away from the Deputy. The automobile crashed before the Deputy could effectuate a traffic stop. Thus, it is the opinion of this office that Deputy Roehl did not commit any criminal wrongdoing.”
The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation released dash and body cam videos of the chase and its aftermath.
