Aaron Renel, the man who caught folks’ attention by driving a military vehicle in the wrong direction on state Highway 29 three years ago, will not be serving any more jail time.
A conditional release plan for Renel was approved June 4 by Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court Judge William Kussel Jr. Renel will be able to remain in his home in Cecil and receive treatment from Lutheran Social Services. According to his attorney, Eric Pangburn, the conclusion of the case means that Renel will once again be allowed to drive, as the ban on operating a motor vehicle was only a condition of the $10,000 cash bond he posted, which is being returned to him.
However, Renel still faces restrictions under the deal reached with the Shawano-Menominee County District Attorney’s Office. The disabled veteran is banned for life from possessing firearms, and he will still be forbidden from leaving the state. He also cannot consume alcohol or drugs except for the ones prescribed to him for his mental illness.
Renel pleaded not guilty due to mental illness on the felony charges of fleeing and eluding officers and second-degree recklessly endangering safety earlier in the year, but the NGI plea could not be applied to the misdemeanor charges of resisting or obstructing an officer and three counts of bail jumping. During the hearing, Renel pleaded no contest to three of the charges, with the last count of bail jumping being dismissed.
For the misdemeanors, Renel will have to pay $650 in fines plus court costs. Pangburn noted that he and Renel both agreed there needed to be some punishment.
Kussel said he was satisfied with the conditional release plan.
“I think this is a good plan,” Kussel said. “It protects the community, and it works toward the rehabilitation of Mr. Renel.”
He added that, even though Renel is not being imprisoned, the court will be watching the progress of the defendant very closely.
“If you want to reach good mental health, you’ve got to do what the doctors tell you to do,” Kussel said. “You’re going to be monitored for this. There’s going to be random analysis to make sure that you’re complying with this order.”
Kussel also acknowledged the turnaround Renel has made since his initial incarceration in 2022. While in jail, there was at least one occasion where Renel refused to meet with a previous attorney before a court hearing. At recent hearings, Renel was very respectful to everyone in the court.
“The court has seen Mr. Renel a number of times. He seems pretty bright eyed and bushy tailed,” Kussel said.
Pangburn agreed with Kussel’s assessment of Renel.
“Aaron has obviously come a long way since this happened,” Pangburn said. “He’s involved himself in mental health treatment. He’s not using any substances. He’s got a conditional release plan so he’s going to be closely monitored.”
The case came about after the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department responded around 5:15 p.m. May 8, 2022, to reports of a heavy truck-type military vehicle on state Highway 29 in western Shawano County traveling down the roadway with a flat tire, thus causing a traffic hazard.
Deputies located and attempted to stop the vehicle, which Renel was driving, but he led them on a short chase, coming to a stop in about a half-mile on the eastbound lane median of Highway 29 near County Road G in the Town of Seneca. Renel would not cooperate and would not exit the vehicle. Because of comments made by Renel and the conditions of this incident, the Shawano County Special Response Team responded to the scene, and officials were eventually able to arrest Renel after using county snowplows to block further escape.
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
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