Paul Wayne Smith , 61 years of age, from Eau Claire, WI has been arrested by the Wisconsin State
Patrol Eau Claire Post for operating a motor vehicle under the influence, 5th offense.
Wisconsin State Patrol Troopers attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle for an inoperative stop lamp
and a speed violation on Hastings Way near STH 93 in Eau Claire on May 14th, 2023, at 2:22 a.m.
The vehicle did not stop and fled from the trooper. The trooper pursued the vehicle but later
terminated that pursuit. Troopers later located the vehicle on Interstate 94 westbound. The vehicle
exited onto STH 29 and drove east in the westbound lanes. The trooper attempted to stop the
vehicle and the driver accelerated and attempted to flee. Troopers pursued the vehicle until the
Lake Hallie Police Department was able to successfully deploy tire deflations devices. The vehicle
became undrivable, and the driver was taken into custody by law enforcement.
Upon contact with the driver, troopers observed signs of impairment, and a subsequent investigation
was conducted. The driver, Paul Smith, was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while under the
influence of an intoxicant 5th offense. Mr. Smith was transported to a local hospital for an
evidentiary test of his blood and then taken to the Chippewa County Jail.
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