KENOSHA, Wis. – A La Crosse man is facing felony charges after allegedly leading Kenosha Police on a high-speed pursuit through residential streets, narrowly avoiding several collisions and terrifying his passenger.

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Amaurion Jalil Nazir Ray, 22, appeared in court Monday and was charged with first-degree recklessly endangering safety and fleeing an officer. Kenosha County Court Commissioner William Michel II ordered $35,000 cash bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 9.

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According to the criminal complaint, police first observed Ray in a black Ford Taurus parked in an area known for drug activity near 53rd Street. Officers began following the vehicle after noting suspicious behavior. When they attempted a traffic stop near 22nd Avenue, Ray allegedly accelerated, reaching estimated speeds of up to 100 mph while blowing through stop signs and red lights.

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The pursuit was ultimately terminated near 50th Street due to the risk to public safety. Officers later located Ray and the vehicle in a parking lot on 36th Avenue, where he was taken into custody.

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Ray reportedly told officers he fled because of a “fight or flight instinct” and admitted to driving the vehicle. He also said he was only in Kenosha for the Fourth of July holiday and lives in La Crosse.

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His passenger, Hannah Kehl, who was visibly distraught when interviewed by police, said she repeatedly asked Ray to stop during the pursuit and feared for her safety, believing they were going to crash. Despite her initial statements, Kehl appeared in court Monday and asked Commissioner Michel to issue “as little as possible” bail, stating, “I think that, you know, we were both scared and it was a scary situation, but I don’t think this is an accurate representation of him. And he’s always been a gentleman to me.”

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Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis argued for a $75,000 cash bond and a no-contact order with Kehl, emphasizing the danger to the public and Kehl herself. “This is a fleeing case and also first-degree reckless behavior. The vehicle reached speeds of approximately 100 miles per hour in a residential area where children often play,” Solis said.

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Michel acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations, pointing out that the chase occurred on 52nd Street—a busy corridor in Kenosha—at 6:57 p.m., a time when families and children are often outside. “The court has great concern,” he said, before ordering the $35,000 cash bond.

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Ray has no prior criminal record but has received citations for speeding in the past. If convicted, he faces up to 12 years and six months for the reckless endangerment charge and an additional six years for fleeing. His driver’s license may also be revoked for six months.

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