Walworth County deputies pursued a subject, who fled after a traffic stop, into Rock County. The pursuit resulted in a crash of the single vehicle and an arrest of the vehicle’s driver, according to information released by the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday.

As stated in the release, on June 30, a Walworth County Sheriff’s Office second shift patrol K-9 deputy was operating with another deputy as a two-deputy patrol unit. The deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with an Illinois registration for “unlawful side window tint” and “no front license plate.” 

Initially, the release read, “the driver pulled over and provided the deputies with his Illinois driver’s license. The driver was identified as Jerry Hamilton of Milwaukee.”

According to the release, Hamilton was the sole occupant of the vehicle. As the subject interacted with the deputies, the release reported that they could “smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.”

The release continued: “When the deputies ordered Hamilton to exit the vehicle so they could further investigate, he shifted the vehicle into drive and fled the scene of the stop. As Hamilton fled, his vehicle struck the arm of one of the deputies. This caused the deputy pain but did not prevent the deputy from returning to the squad car to participate in pursuing the suspect vehicle.”

As stated in the release, deputies made the initial stop and “other law enforcement officers pursued Hamilton South on I-43 into Rock County. During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle consistently traveled at approximately 110 mph. In Rock County, at approximately mile marker 4, a Wisconsin State Patrol trooper attempted to deploy stop sticks to deflate the suspect vehicle’s tires. Hamilton swerved his car as he approached the location of the trooper. This caused Hamilton to lose control of the vehicle he was driving and crash through the median barrier.

“Hamilton was quickly taken into custody at the scene after the crash, and first aid was initiated. Hamilton’s vehicle was traveling at approximately 110 mph at the time of the crash.

“Clinton Fire and EMS were summoned to the scene to provide aid to Hamilton following the crash. Found in the vehicle with Hamilton was approximately one half pound of marijuana in separate packages for distribution, 20 grams of cocaine and crack cocaine, and other THC ingestion products such as gummies and a vape device.” 

According to the release, the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office is referring charges to the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office against Hamilton for, including: 

• Vehicle Operator Fleeing/Eluding a Traffic Officer, 346.04(3) Operating While Intoxicated – 1st Offense, 346.63(1)(a) Battery to Public Officers, 940.20(4).

• First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, 941.30(1) Resisting or Obstructing an Officer, 946.41(1).

• Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine, 961.41(1m)(cm).

• Possession with Intent to Deliver THC, 961.41(1m)(h).

Additionally, Hamilton was issued 16 other traffic citations.

Hamilton was confined at the Walworth County Jail on the night of the incident and was subsequently issued a $15,000 cash bond in Walworth County Circuit Court on Monday, July 1.

Agencies assisting with the call included the City of Delavan Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Rock County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clinton Fire Protection District.