Three area men were brought to the Lincoln County Jail and one will face felony charges after a deputy became involved in a pursuit late Friday evening.
A cell caller reported several trucks traveling north on US Hwy 51 north of Irma that were speeding and driving in a reckless manner. A deputy was monitoring traffic north of Lincoln Drive when he saw two trucks traveling in excess of 90 MPH. As the deputy tried to catch up to the trucks they increased speed and turned off of US Hwy 51 east onto County Rd J at Irma. The vehicles continued east on County Rd J and increased speeds again to over 90 MPH before turning onto Neider Road where the lead truck stopped. The second truck continued traveling down Neider Road but eventually did stop.
The deputy took the driver, a 20-year-old Athens man, into custody for fleeing. A search revealed marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Lincoln County Jail on charges of felony fleeing an officer, a felony charge of possession of marijuana as a repeat offender, three counts of possession of marijuana and a probation violation charge. His passenger, also a 20-year-old Athens man, was cited for underage drinking and brought to the Lincoln County Jail on warrants through the Merrill Police Department and the Marathon County Sheriff.
The first vehicle did leave the area as the deputy dealt with the second vehicle, but it was later located and stopped by other deputies. The driver of that vehicle, a 20-year-old Merrill man, was booked into the Lincoln County Jail on a charge of fleeing an officer and was also cited for eighth offense of operating while suspended, having an open intoxicant in a motor vehicle, and for violating the state’s absolute sobriety law. The 18-year-old passenger was also cited for underage drinking before both men were released to a responsible party after the driver posted a cash bond.