A Keshena man who attempted to escape police Friday by jumping into the Wolf River was charged Monday with a felony count of fleeing an officer.
Deion J. Boivin, 22, was captured with the help of people on a pontoon boat who kept visual tabs on the suspect and tried to throw him a life preserver, according to the criminal complaint.
According to the complaint, Boivin refused the life preserver and also swam away from the Shawano County dive team after it arrived. The complaint states Boivin continued trying to elude authorities, even swimming under the dive team boat, until he finally tired and surrendered.
Boivin’s vehicle was observed traveling north on Main Street with a burned out headlamp about 11:10 p.m. Friday, according to authorities.
When a police officer attempted to stop the vehicle, Boivin allegedly accelerated and attempted to flee. After a brief pursuit, the driver jumped from the vehicle at the dead end of River Heights, ran into the Wolf River and swam away from shore.
Boivin could face a maximum 3½ years in prison and $10,000 fine on the felony count of fleeing if convicted.
He is also charged with misdemeanor counts of second offense operating while intoxicated, operating a vehicle after revocation, possession of marijuana and resisting an officer.
He was ordered held on a $500 cash bond and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Aug. 3.
“Without the assistance of the occupants on the pontoon boat in helping maintain a visual contact with the suspect, the outcome could have been different,” Shawano Police Chief Mark Kohl said. “With the water current as it was, the suspect’s repeated attempts to refuse rescue, and his intoxicated state, we’re happy it ended safely.”
