In a scene reminiscent of the classic television show “The Dukes of Hazzard,” a fleeing driver in Wisconsin executed a spectacular airborne maneuver, jumping his car over another vehicle during a high-speed police chase. The incident, captured on dashcam footage, occurred earlier this month in Fond du Lac County and has since gone viral.
Dramatic Pursuit and Airborne Leap
The pursuit began on Saturday morning, May 9, when the Wisconsin State Patrol initiated a traffic stop. However, upon the arrival of backup from the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office and another trooper, the driver, identified as 44-year-old Dewayne Stokes, sped off. A high-speed chase ensued, lasting approximately four and a half miles.
The dramatic climax of the chase saw Stokes lose control of his vehicle, veering into a ditch and then launching up an embankment. This propelled his car airborne, clearing another vehicle on the road before landing in a field on the opposite side. The dashcam footage vividly illustrates the shocking moment the car became airborne, a spectacle rarely seen outside of movie stunts.
Arrest and Charges
Despite the dramatic escape attempt, Stokes was not ready to surrender. Upon exiting his vehicle, he had to be Tased by law enforcement before being taken into custody. He sustained minor injuries during the incident and was transported to a local hospital.
Stokes now faces seven charges, including first-degree reckless endangering safety and two counts of eluding an officer. His cash bond was set at $25,000, and he is scheduled to appear in court again on June 24. Court documents revealed that Stokes was already out on bond for a previous charge of operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent when this incident occurred, having failed to appear in court, which led to the active felony warrant for his arrest.
