Illinois man charged following high-speed chase

MARINETTE — A 23-year-old Illinois man faces several charges after a high-speed chase last month in the City of Marinette and the Town of Peshtigo.

Marinette County District Attorney DeShea Morrow announced that Cole Kazakeich, Vernon Hills, Illinois, has been charged with second degree recklessly endangering safety, attempting to flee or elude an officer, and obstructing an officer after a high-speed chase through Marinette and into the Town of Peshtigo.

According to the criminal complaint issued by the Marinette County District Attorney’s Office, on Sept. 27, Sgt. Elias with the Marinette County Sheriff’s Office observed a white sedan driving well above the speed limit on Hall Avenue in Marinette. Elias activated his lights and sirens in an attempt to pull the vehicle over. The vehicle then turned south onto Marinette Avenue and sped up, reaching speeds around 60 to 70 miles per hour.

As the vehicle approached the intersection of Marinette Avenue and County Trunk T, the vehicle cut across two lanes of traffic and then proceeded out of Marinette on U.S. 41, where it reached speeds over 100 miles per hour. Officers successfully deployed spike strips and stopped the vehicle. The driver and sole occupant was identified as Kazakeich.

Kazakeich was taken into custody. He appeared before Circuit Judge Peggy Miller on Wednesday for a bail hearing. Morrow requested a $10,000 cash bond with various conditions, including no operating motor vehicles. The court ordered a $10,000 cash bond with the conditions requested. He is due back in court Nov. 11 for an adjourned initial appearance.

The charges against Kazakeich are merely allegations, and heis presumed innocent of all charges until and unless proven guilty, Morrow stated in a press releaswe.

The Marinette County Sheriff’s Office investigated this matter with the assistance of the Marinette Police Department, the Peshtigo Police Department, the Town of Peshtigo Fire Department, and the Marinette County District Attorney’s Office.