Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
On September 6, 2024. Deputies from the Rusk County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the report of a rollover crash. Dispatch advised that the 911 caller stated the vehicle was driving recklessly and swerving in and out of traffic prior to the crash. It was also noted that the occupants of the vehicle, later identified as Byer (driver), and Christopher (passenger) attempted to flee into the woods.
As deputies arrived, they observed a maroon Buick sedan on its roof, about 20 yards off the roadway. A Barron County deputy and several first responders were already on scene. Chris was escorted out of the woods so EMS could assess for injuries. While walking, Chris stumbled multiple times and had an odor of alcohol emanating from his person. Chris was secured in handcuffs and asked if he was hurt, to which he replied "I don't think so, I don't know". He was questioned on why he ran into the woods and Chris stated "I was just trying to get out of the car". While speaking with Chris he was slurring his words and showed difficulty formulating sentences. Chris admitted to drinking but denied being the driver of the car.
Byer was also escorted out of the woods where it was discovered that he had a gash on his left foot. Byer refused to say his name and began asking for his lawyer. A search of Byer's person did not reveal a wallet or anything that would help identify him. He then began screaming loudly and continuously asking for a lawyer. At this point in the investigation Byer's identity was not known to law enforcement.
Deputies asked Byer to identify himself numerous times and each time he refused. Chris appeared to be extremely confused and did not know where the crash had occurred. Chris stated that he had not been driving and EMS personnel took him to the ambulance for treatment.
While speaking with Byer, deputies observed several indicators consistent with intoxication including, the odor of alcohol emanating from his breath, disorientation, slurred speech, red
glossy eyes, and erratic behavior. Byer was placed in handcuffs and stated "I cant believe I did this". Byer then began screaming and banging his head on the ground and said that his life was over. EMS personnel took him to the same ambulance as Chris and transported them to the hospital for medical clearance.
Deputies then made contact with the registered owner of the crashed vehicle (Sarah), who was the girlfriend of Byer. Sarah said she learned about the situation after Byer contacted her stating that he had been involved in a crash. Sarah said that she was trying to get more information from Byer before he explained that he was getting arrested and hung up. She advised that she believed Byer to be the driver at the time of the crash but was not 100% sure. Sarah mentioned that she heard Christopher had fallen down stairs and was injured before the accident occurred.
Deputies then spoke to Christopher at the hospital. They informed him that he was not under arrest and asked him what had happened. Christopher stated that he was not driving. When asked who was driving, Christopher was hesitant to say but eventually stated that Byer was the driver. He was questioned about the injury on his chin and asked if it occurred prior to the crash. Christopher stated that he never fell down any stairs as Sarah explained and said his injuries were from the accident. When asked if he consumed any alcohol or drugs, Christopher stated that he used alcohol and THC, and occasionally uses cocaine. He agreed to sign a medical release of information form to law enforcement and was released from the hospital without any charges.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Byer continued to scream loudly, and it was discovered that his license was revoked due to having 3 prior alcohol related convictions, 2 of which were OWI. Byer was asked if he would consent to an evidentiary chemical test of his blood, to which he initially denied but eventually allowed hospital personnel to draw his blood. A blood analysis from the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene revealed that Byer had a .183 BAC. While waiting for medical clearance, Byer became extremely agitated, screaming loudly and began banging his head into the hospital room wall, causing damage to the drywall. This was not recorded on body camera but the damage was later photographed. Byer was handcuffed again and transported to the Rusk County Jail where he was turned over to jail staff.
Byer was found guilty for Operating While Intoxicated (3rd), Criminal Damage to Property, Failure to Keep Vehicle Under Control, Failure of Operator to Notify Police of Accident, Operating a motor vehicle w/o insurance, and Operating While Revoked. He was sentenced to 130 days in jail and 1 year of probation. Byer was also required to pay $4870 in fines, and $300 in restitution.
This video is for educational purposes only.
On September 6, 2024. Deputies from the Rusk County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the report of a rollover crash. Dispatch advised that the 911 caller stated the vehicle was driving recklessly and swerving in and out of traffic prior to the crash. It was also noted that the occupants of the vehicle, later identified as Byer (driver), and Christopher (passenger) attempted to flee into the woods.
As deputies arrived, they observed a maroon Buick sedan on its roof, about 20 yards off the roadway. A Barron County deputy and several first responders were already on scene. Chris was escorted out of the woods so EMS could assess for injuries. While walking, Chris stumbled multiple times and had an odor of alcohol emanating from his person. Chris was secured in handcuffs and asked if he was hurt, to which he replied "I don't think so, I don't know". He was questioned on why he ran into the woods and Chris stated "I was just trying to get out of the car". While speaking with Chris he was slurring his words and showed difficulty formulating sentences. Chris admitted to drinking but denied being the driver of the car.
Byer was also escorted out of the woods where it was discovered that he had a gash on his left foot. Byer refused to say his name and began asking for his lawyer. A search of Byer's person did not reveal a wallet or anything that would help identify him. He then began screaming loudly and continuously asking for a lawyer. At this point in the investigation Byer's identity was not known to law enforcement.
Deputies asked Byer to identify himself numerous times and each time he refused. Chris appeared to be extremely confused and did not know where the crash had occurred. Chris stated that he had not been driving and EMS personnel took him to the ambulance for treatment.
While speaking with Byer, deputies observed several indicators consistent with intoxication including, the odor of alcohol emanating from his breath, disorientation, slurred speech, red
glossy eyes, and erratic behavior. Byer was placed in handcuffs and stated "I cant believe I did this". Byer then began screaming and banging his head on the ground and said that his life was over. EMS personnel took him to the same ambulance as Chris and transported them to the hospital for medical clearance.
Deputies then made contact with the registered owner of the crashed vehicle (Sarah), who was the girlfriend of Byer. Sarah said she learned about the situation after Byer contacted her stating that he had been involved in a crash. Sarah said that she was trying to get more information from Byer before he explained that he was getting arrested and hung up. She advised that she believed Byer to be the driver at the time of the crash but was not 100% sure. Sarah mentioned that she heard Christopher had fallen down stairs and was injured before the accident occurred.
Deputies then spoke to Christopher at the hospital. They informed him that he was not under arrest and asked him what had happened. Christopher stated that he was not driving. When asked who was driving, Christopher was hesitant to say but eventually stated that Byer was the driver. He was questioned about the injury on his chin and asked if it occurred prior to the crash. Christopher stated that he never fell down any stairs as Sarah explained and said his injuries were from the accident. When asked if he consumed any alcohol or drugs, Christopher stated that he used alcohol and THC, and occasionally uses cocaine. He agreed to sign a medical release of information form to law enforcement and was released from the hospital without any charges.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Byer continued to scream loudly, and it was discovered that his license was revoked due to having 3 prior alcohol related convictions, 2 of which were OWI. Byer was asked if he would consent to an evidentiary chemical test of his blood, to which he initially denied but eventually allowed hospital personnel to draw his blood. A blood analysis from the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene revealed that Byer had a .183 BAC. While waiting for medical clearance, Byer became extremely agitated, screaming loudly and began banging his head into the hospital room wall, causing damage to the drywall. This was not recorded on body camera but the damage was later photographed. Byer was handcuffed again and transported to the Rusk County Jail where he was turned over to jail staff.
Byer was found guilty for Operating While Intoxicated (3rd), Criminal Damage to Property, Failure to Keep Vehicle Under Control, Failure of Operator to Notify Police of Accident, Operating a motor vehicle w/o insurance, and Operating While Revoked. He was sentenced to 130 days in jail and 1 year of probation. Byer was also required to pay $4870 in fines, and $300 in restitution.
This video is for educational purposes only.
