A Langlade County man is in custody facing serious charges after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase in Forest County. The incident unfolded early Tuesday morning when an off-duty Forest County deputy noticed a blue Audi with a loud exhaust speeding north on Highway 55. The vehicle was reportedly passing in a no-passing zone just after 6:30 AM.
An on-duty deputy quickly spotted the speeding car near County Highway S and attempted to pursue it. In response, the driver accelerated, and to evade capture, turned off the headlights as dawn broke. The dangerous pursuit escalated as the speeding Audi exceeded speeds of 110 miles per hour. During the chase, a second deputy joined the pursuit but unfortunately collided with a deer, disabling their patrol car and forcing them out of the chase.
The pursuit continued onto Highway 8 and into Crandon, where the driver, later identified as 18-year-old Mason Spray from Deerbrook, eventually turned around and was stopped in a business parking lot. Law enforcement removed him from the vehicle and he was subsequently booked into the Forest County Jail.
The sheriff’s office is pursuing multiple charges against Spray, including 1st Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety and Vehicle Operator Fleeing/Eluding an Officer, both of which are felonies. Additionally, he faces a misdemeanor charge for possession of THC. Court records indicate that Spray had previous run-ins with the law, including being cited for operating while suspended in May and pleading no contest in August to failing to surrender his license.
This incident highlights the dangers associated with reckless driving and the challenges faced by law enforcement in pursuing suspects who endanger the safety of themselves and others on the road.