Fort Atkinson Man Arrested Following Pursuit

February 25, 2009
Contact: Elise Schaffer, PIO Phone: (608) 284-6142 Email: schaffer@co.dane.wi.us
Sheriff's Office

At approximately 1:00 am, a Dane County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on a white Lincoln Town Car traveling at a high rate of speed on Highway 51 near CTH N in the town of Dunkirk. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop, and a pursuit began. The pursuit covered approximately 11.7 miles, averaging speeds of 80 to 90 mph. The driver of the vehicle eventually lost control, coming to a stop in the ditch facing eastbound on CTH B near Hawkinson Road in the town of Dunn. The driver then fled on foot into a nearby field, while his passenger remained in the vehicle and was temporarily taken into custody. Sheriff’s Deputies quickly established a perimeter around the area and called for the assistance of a K9. A K9 Officer from the Fitchburg Police Department responded and began tracking the suspect at approximately 1:30 am. At 1:52 am, Kevin P. Erstad, age 37 of Fort Atkinson, was in custody. A 22-year-old male from Edgerton who was a passenger in the vehicle, was temporarily in custody, but was later released. Erstad was arrested for Felony Eluding, OWI – 4th Offense, Possession of Cocaine, and Criminal Damage to Property. He was also cited for Operating After Revocation – 2nd Offense, Speeding, Reckless Driving, Operating Left of Center, and three counts of Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign. One deputy received a minor injury after Erstad kicked out the back passenger window of the squad car he was being transported in. He is currently being held in the Dane County Jail. ###