STAR PRAIRIE, WI (WSAU) — A motorcyclist has died after being hit by a driver.
Authorities say a suspected car thief in an SUV that was being pursued by sheriff’s deputies struck and killed a motorcyclist in western Wisconsin.
The St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office says the pursuit started after 4 p.m. Saturday after a caller reported a 2013 Jeep Liberty was taken from Star Prairie Township without permission by someone under a no-contact order.
Deputies attempted to stop the jeep north of New Richmond but the driver, 37-year-old Brandon Lieffring refused to pull over. During the chase, the driver attempted to pass several vehicles in the village of Deer Park and struck one of a group of motorcyclists making a left turn.
The Jeep driver fled on foot but was caught after a short pursuit. The motorcyclist, identified as 39-year-old Dustin Kalland of Stillwater MN, died at the scene.
