Man charged in Freeborn County chase that reached 115 mph

Published 8:47 am Friday, May 19, 2017

A man who allegedly led officers on a vehicle chase that reached speeds of up to 115 mph and spanned nearly 50 miles early Friday in Freeborn County was charged later that day in Freeborn County District Court.

William Michael Oleson, 30, is charged with fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation and giving false information to a police officer.

Court documents state the chase began when an Albert Lea officer initiated a traffic stop for speeding on a dark-colored GMC Envoy shortly before 1 a.m. Friday at the the intersection of Ninth Street and Lincoln Avenue, which turned into a vehicle pursuit.

William Michael Oleson Jr.

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Oleson reportedly drove on South Broadway Avenue at speeds approaching 94 mph, passed a car at 85 mph in a 30-mph zone, passed under Interstate 35 at more than 90 mph while a semi approached a stop sign, and failed to stop for numerous stop signs.

He allegedly continued through S-curves while traveling north to Glenville during the chase, forcing a vehicle to the shoulder of the road, and crossing into the opposing lane of travel in a no-passing zone while traveling 70 mph.

Court documents state Oleson was able to evade stop sticks twice, and an Albert Lea officer at one point had to make an evasive maneuver for safety.

The chase allegedly lasted 40 minutes, covered approximately 47 miles in Freeborn County and went through Albert Lea, Glenville, Hayward and Emmons. Officers reportedly deployed stop sticks in the area of State Line Road, which ended the pursuit a short distance later west of Emmons. Oleson had a .065 blood-alcohol content after he arrived at the Freeborn County jail. He allegedly provided a false name to the officer before the chase began.

The Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol, Faribault County Sheriff’s Office, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, Worth County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol assisted.

Oleson has five driving after withdrawals and one gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation on his record, court documents state.

Judge Carol Hanks set conditional bail for Oleson at $25,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 1.

Fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle carries a maximum sentence of three years and one day in prison and a $5,000 fine.

About Sam Wilmes

Sam Wilmes covers crime, courts and government for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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