On December 31 at approximately 11:02 PM, Rock County Sheriff’s Office deputies initiated a vehicle pursuit with an erratic driver of a pick-up truck on S. US Highway 51 by Inman Parkway in Beloit. The pick-up truck was involved in a brief pursuit with the Town of Beloit Police Department before deputies came across the pick-up truck as it was traveling north on Highway 51 at a high rate of speed and driving in a manner in which was endangering other motorists.

The pursuit continued north on S. USH 51 and reached speeds of approximately 100 mph. Deputies successfully deployed Stop Sticks and one of the trucks tires deflated. The pursuit continued north on S. USH 51 as the pick-up truck started to slow.

The driver turned off the headlights of the truck and started driving at oncoming southbound vehicles. Deputies successfully deployed a second set of Stop Sticks and deflated another truck tire.

The pick-up truck crossed over once again in to the southbound lane and continued traveling north on S. USH 51. A deputy performed a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) and the pick-up truck came to a controlled stop in the west ditch of S. USH 51 by W. Airport Road.

Deputies made contact with the driver, who produced a knife, while sitting inside the cab of the pick-up truck. Deputies negotiated with the driver and when the driver refused to drop the knife, OC spray and a Taser were deployed, and the driver was taken into custody.

The driver, 23-year-old driver identified as Robert Carothers, of Beloit was arrested for Reckless Endangering Safety, Felony Fleeing, and OWI 2nd.