Motorcycle rider leads airplane on I-43 chase

By BILL SCHANEN IV

Ozaukee Press staff

An 18-year-old motorcycle rider accused of leading a Wisconsin State Patrol airplane on a high-speed chase through Ozaukee County earlier this month has been charged with a felony in Ozaukee County Circuit Court.

West Allis resident Dakota R. Flasch, who according to authorities was driving on I-43 at speeds that hit 150 mph, is charged with fleeing an officer.

According to a criminal complaint, at 11:13 a.m. Thursday, June 12, the pilot of the plane, Trooper Joe Youngblood, notified a trooper on the freeway that he was tracking a motorcycle traveling north on I-43 at speeds ranging from 113 to 150 mph.

The trooper on the ground spotted the motorcycle weaving through traffic on I-43 in the Town of Grafton, positioned himself behind it and activated his emergency lights and siren, but after about 10 seconds he lost sight of the cycle.

Because of the traffic volume and the behavior of the motorcycle driver, who was later identified as Flasch, as well as the fact Youngblood continued to track the motorcycle from the air, the officer on the ground discontinued his pursuit, the complaint states.

As Youngblood continued to follow Flasch, he saw him cut through the triangular area between the Highway 60 off ramp and the freeway to pass vehicles, weave in and out of traffic and drive between vehicles — so-called lane splitting — according to the complaint.

At one point, Flasch got so close to vehicles that Youngblood thought he was going to crash.

Flasch continued north into the Town of Belgium, where he was clocked traveling at 100 mph or more.

Flasch continued into Sheboygan County and evaded a second officer near Highway 23, the complaint states.

During the course of an investigation after the chase, officers were able to identify the motorcycle driver as Flasch, who agreed to surrender.

During an interview, he told officers he was having relationship problems with his girlfriend and was on his way to visit her, adding that he was afraid that if he was pulled over he would not be able to see her, according to the complaint.

Flasch said he noticed an airplane was following him when he stopped for gas but hoped the plane would eventually run out of fuel. He also said that he considered turning around and driving to Milwaukee to try and lose the plane among tall buildings, the complaint states.

During a June 13 court hearing, Ozaukee County Circuit Judge Sandy Williams set Flasch’s bail at $15,000 and ordered him not to operate a motor vehicle of any kind.

Fleeing an officer is punishable by a maximum three years in prison and three years of extended supervision.