Grand Chute Police Department photo
Grand Chute Police Department file photo

TOWN of GRAND CHUTE – A fatal crash Jan 3, 2024 in the town of Grand Chute where a retail theft suspect died is not considered an “officer-involved death,” according to Outagamie County District Attorney Mindy Tempelis.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigation released Tempelis’ determination Tuesday. It is now considered a death investigation, according to the DCI.

The fatal crash happened after Town of Grand Chute Police Department received a report of someone allegedly committing retail theft at the Fleet Farm.

When officers arrived, they approached the subject who fled in a vehicle, exited the parking lot and fled at a high rate of speed, according to a DCI news release.

The suspect then lost control of the vehicle approximately two blocks away, collided with another vehicle, and crashed into a tree.

Lifesaving measures were attempted, but the subject died at the scene. The two occupants of the other vehicle were taken to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.

The responding officer’s vehicle had a squad camera during the incident.

DCI is leading the death investigation with assistance from Wisconsin State Patrol, a DCI Crime Response Specialist, and members of DCI’s Digital Evidence Unit.



Paid partnership



Paid partnership






By staff