PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. – A 19-year-old Zion, Illinois man is facing multiple felony charges in Kenosha County after allegedly leading police on a dangerous high-speed chase that reached speeds of over 120 miles per hour and forced oncoming traffic off the road.

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Ramiro J. Diaz was arrested early Tuesday morning, one day after Kenosha County authorities issued a $10,000 arrest warrant. According to court records, Diaz is expected to appear in intake court Wednesday at 1 p.m.

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The charges stem from a May 31 incident in the Village of Pleasant Prairie. According to the criminal complaint, Officer Zachary Dutter of the Pleasant Prairie Police Department was monitoring traffic near the 10700 block of Sheridan Road when he observed a black BMW sedan traveling between 70 and 80 mph in a 45 mph zone. When the officer attempted a traffic stop using lights and sirens, the driver allegedly fled at even higher speeds.

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Officer Dutter reported that the fleeing driver continued southbound, accelerating to an estimated 115 to 125 mph while weaving between lanes and passing other vehicles by driving into the oncoming traffic lane. At least two northbound drivers were forced to swerve onto the shoulder to avoid a collision, according to the report.

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The pursuit lasted approximately 1.3 miles before being terminated at the Wisconsin-Illinois state line. The Winthrop Harbor Police Department then continued the chase across the border. Officers eventually located the BMW parked at the 7th Street marina in Winthrop Harbor. The vehicle’s tires and brakes were reportedly still hot, indicating it had been driven at high speeds moments earlier. Officers also found an open can of Monaco alcoholic beverage in the cupholder.

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While waiting for a tow truck, Officer Moorehouse observed Diaz emerging from a wooded area near the parked vehicle. He was taken into custody. Diaz allegedly admitted to driving the vehicle and said he fled because he got scared when he saw police. He told officers he had been returning from a party in Kenosha and didn’t initially realize the squad lights were activated.

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A search of the car revealed Diaz’s wallet and ID, as well as a wholesale box of Muha Meds THC vape cartridges. Officers also recovered the vehicle keys nearby in the bushes.

Diaz is charged with first-degree recklessly endangering safety, a Class F felony punishable by up to 12 years and 6 months in prison, and fleeing or eluding an officer, a Class H felony punishable by up to 6 years in prison.

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