JANESVILLE — A driver who led deputies on a high-speed chase while intoxicated in the early morning hours of New Years Day 2025 has been sentenced to seven years in prison and three years of extended supervision.
At about 2:30 a.m. Jan. 1, Brieske fled from deputies in his truck in Jefferson County at 100 miles per hour, going the wrong way on State Highway 26 and was pursued into Rock County. After crossing the county line, he crested a hill on Highway 26 and headed south in a northbound lane, nearly striking a Rock County Sheriff’s vehicle, which turned around and pursued Brieske.
Brieske was pursued by multiple deputies through a cornfield. Brieske tried to ram his vehicle into a deputy’s squad, but was unsuccessful. Deputies were successful in immobilizing Brieske and took him into custody.
Brieske pleaded guilty to fleeing an officer causing damage to property and second-degree recklessly endangering safety in Rock County. In Jefferson County, he pleaded guilty to operating while intoxicated as a fifth offense.
A pre-sentence report from the Department of Corrections suggested that Brieske be sentenced three years in prison and three years extended supervision on the Rock County charges, but the prosecutors assigned to the case, Rock County Assistant District Attorneys Assistant District Attorneys Carli McNeill and Jerry Urbik argued the recommendation was too light.
Judge Karl Hanson ruled in their favor. Urbik argued a lengthy criminal record, Brieske already being on extended supervision and Brieske driving while heavily intoxicated during the pursuit.
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