2 dead, 6 injured in hit and run near Eau Claire

21-year-old suspect arrested

DUNN COUNTY, Wis. (WKBT) — Two people are dead and six others were injured after a hit and run near Eau Claire Saturday.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation said a drunk driver hit a van around 2:40 a.m. on I-94 near Elk Mound in Dunn County.

Authorities say eight individuals, ranging in age from 5 to 55, were in the van when it left the roadway, overturned and landed in a ditch. Sgt. William Berger says the two passengers that were ejected from the vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene, while the other six passengers were taken to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

The 21-year-old driver in the other vehicle fled from the scene, leaving behind a black hood that had been ripped off the vehicle during the crash.

Authorities found the fleeing suspect, Michael D. Sonnentag of Cadott, about four hours after the crash.

Sonnentag is being held in the Dunn County Jail for charges of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, first offense, and two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle.