Tim Ryan tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
A check on a suspicious vehicle in the town of Herman early Friday led to a high-speed chase and the arrest of a De Pere man on charges of fleeing and ninth-offense drunken driving.
David W. Bourassa, 47, was ordered held on a $500 cash bond, along with a $4,500 signature bond, after an initial appearance before Judge James Habeck in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court.
Stockbridge-Munsee Police and Shawano County sheriff’s deputies were investigating a suspicious vehicle complaint on Richards Street in the village of Gresham around 12 a.m. Friday when a black SUV accelerated rapidly southbound on Main Street.
Deputies caught up with the vehicle and pulled it over on County Road U, but the vehicle sped off again at high speed before a deputy could make contact with the driver, according to the criminal complaint.
The chase continued along County Road U reaching 65 mph until spike strips were deployed at the intersection of County Road M.
The vehicle went through the strips and continued through the stop sign at the intersection, ultimately sliding into a ditch along County Road M.
Bourassa was treated at Shawano Medical Center for minor injuries and then arrested.
He faces felony charges of ninth-offense operating while intoxicated and attempting to flee an officer, as well as a misdemeanor count of operating after revocation.
Bourassa could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine if convicted of ninth-offense OWI, and 3½ years and a $10,000 fine for attempting to flee an officer.
According to court records, Bourassa has four previous OWI convictions in Michigan, one in Minnesota, two in Vilas County and one in Wood County.
Bourassa was also wanted in Vilas County, according to court records, on charges of burglary and theft.
Court records also show he was on probation for a Shawano County burglary in 2014.
Bourassa is scheduled for an adjourned initial court appearance on Monday.