Suspect kills himself when crashing into a garbage truck during brief pursuit
By: Niagara, WI - According to a release from Marinette County District Attorney DeShea Morrow, no criminal charges will be filed against any involved law enforcement in the death of Steve Mecklenburg in Niagara.
According to District Attorney Morrow, the investigation was performed by Special Agent Lindsay Lehr with the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) – Division of Criminal Investigation.
The investigation reportedly confirmed that Niagara Police Officer Rhianna Carne was professional in her actions and that she abided by training standards in an attempted traffic stop on a stolen vehicle driven by Mecklenburg, who fled the stop.
Officer Carne followed once again, as Mecklenburg sped away at speeds reaching 75 miles per hour while weaving into traffic. Mecklenburg swerved into an oncoming traffic lane and crashed head-on into a garbage truck.
Officials say that Mecklenburg’s actions and text messages showed that he intended to drive towards the garbage truck in an attempt to commit suicide, as he also made comments and motions that the investigation deemed to be signs that he planned on ending his own life.
The letter from District Attorney Morrow concluded by stating that the matter is closed and that no charges will be filed against the involved law enforcement.