WAUKESHA — A little girl in Waukesha is very happy after her stolen tricycle was replaced by a detective with the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department!

Sheriff’s officials shared the happy update on Facebook Tuesday, July 18th.

According to that post, the theft happened in Genesee. A homeowner there indicated two people in an old, red F-150 parked in front of her home, ran up her driveway and grabbed the little girl’s red Radio Flyer tricycle. They then threw it in their truck and left, she said.

The woman said it happened as kids and dogs were outside playing.

Sheriff’s officials said Detective Anderson saw the homeowner’s post on Facebook and replaced the little girl’s tricycle with a new pink one, and bought her a helmet to match.

As you can see — she couldn’t be happier! Way to go, Detective Anderson!

TOWN OF OTTAWA — A 54-year-old man was killed in a crash in Waukesha County early Thursday, July 20th.

It happened on County Highway Z at Hardscrabble Road in the Town of Ottawa shortly before 5:00 a.m. — and involved a single vehicle.

This crash was reported by a motorist who was a passerby.

The operator and sole occupant, who was from the Town of Sullivan, sustained injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation by the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department.

Steven Gaffney

BIG BEND -- A vehicle was stolen from a driveway in Big Bend and taken on a wild ride! A pursuit, spanning multiple counties, lasting nearly two hours, ended in a crash.

Deputies tried stopping the vehicle early Friday morning, July 21st, when the driver took off. The chase lasted nearly two hours, and it was captured by dash camera.

The owners of the vehicle said they're stunned by what happened.

Pursuit of vehicle stolen from driveway in Big Bend

Jason and Sara Frame

"Whoa! Holy cow!" Jason Frame said.

It's hard to put into words what it's like to see your car involved in a high-speed chase -- especially when you don't know the man behind the wheel.

"That's pretty insane. Don't expect to see your car ever do that," Frame said.

After midnight on Friday, in the Village of Big Bend, Jason and Sara Frame's red Kia Sportage was stolen from their driveway.

"It jars you when something is taken from you," Frame said.

Vehicle stolen from driveway in Big Bend

Steven Gaffney

Investigators say 52-year-old Steven Gaffney stole the crossover vehicle. Deputies tried stopping him when the headlights weren't on, but he took off. Dash camera footage shows deputies chasing the vehicle from Waukesha County to Milwaukee County. The driver refused to pull over.

It wasn't until two hours later that Gaffney lost control, flipped the vehicle and came to a crashing stop. The Kia landed on its hood, and eventually, deputies took Gaffney into custody.

"When you see it, it's just shocking," Frame said.

Photos show the aftermath of the crash. The front end of the vehicle was smashed, and windows busted.

PHOTO GALLERY

"It's not the car. It's more the sense of security and the safety," Sara Frame said.

Pursuit of vehicle stolen from driveway in Big Bend

Pursuit of vehicle stolen from driveway in Big Bend

The whole ordeal has left the Big Bend couple shaken, but thankful they're OK.

" I never expected that to happen to me. It's true. You don't," Jason Frame said.

Investigators say Gaffney admitted that he purposely tried to get into a police chase, and wanted to die. They say he told them he initially tried overdosing on crack cocaine.

In court on Wednesday, July 26th, a competency exam was ordered for Gaffney.

WAUKESHA — A Muskego man is accused of his 10th OWI offense.

51-year-old Daniel Lesniewski is facing one count of OWI, 10th and subsequent offense.

According to a criminal complaint, on July 26th, around 6:30 p.m. officials with the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department learned of a Huber inmate believed to be intoxicated. It was advised that the individual was driving a brown pickup truck, and was believed to be leaving the Huber facility.

A brown pickup truck was observed exiting the Huber facility, and a traffic stop was conducted on Delafield Street at Irvin Place in Waukesha.

When a deputy made contact with the driver, the complaint indicates his head was down, and he was reaching for what was believed to be his driver’s license. It took him a minute-and-a-half to retrieve his license, the complaint says. He was identified via that license as Lesniewski. The deputy noted a strong odor of intoxicants coming from Lesniewski.

When asked how much he’d had to drink that day, the complaint indicates Lesniewski replied: “None.” He indicated he had just dropped his wife off at the Huber facility.

According to the complaint, a preliminary breath test returned a result of .22, and Lesniewski was arrested for OWI. He was taken to the hospital for a blood draw.

The complaint lists nine previous OWI convictions for Lesniewski:

• June of 1992 (three convictions)
• September of 1994 (two convictions)
• October of 2001 (three convictions
• October of 2006

Lesniewski made his initial appearance in court in this case on July 27th. Cash bond was set at $100,000 and a preliminary hearing was set for August 10th.

MILWAUKEE — There was a new call for answers Tuesday, August 1st from the family of a man shot and killed by a deputy along Milwaukee’s lakefront in June.

Nasheka Bryant

“I am hopeful there is bodycam footage in this situation because it would reveal the other side of the story. The other narrative to it that we didn’t get to see,” Nasheka Bryant, with the Freedom Fighters said.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office said 19-year-old Terry Williams jumped a curb and drove towards Deputy Michael Truax.

The family said Tuesday they’re looking for updates on the investigation.

Officials with the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office said any information would have to come form the investigative agency, which in this case is the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department.

Terry Williams, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Truax

Officer-involved shooting along lakefront in Milwaukee

So far, officials with the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department haven’t responded to FOX6’s request for comment.

TOWN OF OTTAWA — A Waukesha County sheriff’s deputy sustained minor injuries when his squad car was involved in a single-vehicle crash Saturday night, August 5th.

It happened around 8:00 p.m. near Highway D and Moraine Hills Drive in the Town of Ottawa.

The deputy was taken to the hospital from the scene.

The crash is under investigation by the Wisconsin State Patrol.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates.

WAUKESHA — Firefighters on Saturday morning, August 19th were called out to the scene of a fire in Waukesha.

The fire broke out in a structure around 6:25 a.m. near Sunset drive and Boettcher road.

There are no reports of injuries.

The fire was reported to the Waukesha County Communications Center by a passing motorist.

Officials said the fire caused substantial property damage to the building.

The initial cause of the fire is unknown at this time and the incident remains under investigation by the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department.

Additional assistance was requested from the Town of Waukesha, North Prairie, Town of Delafield, Western Lakes Fire District, City of Pewaukee, Lake Country, Eagle, Village of Big Bend, Town of Vernon, Hartland and Tess Corners Fire Departments.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.

WAUKESHA COUNTY — The Wisconsin State Patrol arrested a 43-year-old man for operating a motor vehicle under the influence — his fifth offense — after he crashed into a median wall on Saturday, August 19th.

The crash happened around 3:30 p.m. on I-94 eastbound near Elm Grove Road in Waukesha County.

According to the state patrol, the driver was the only occupant of the vehicle. He was placed under arrest for his fifth operating while intoxicated offense and was transported to Froedtert Hospital for injuries sustained in the crash.

The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the crash.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.

PEWAUKEE — A 72-year-old Waukesha woman was killed in a collision with a pickup truck in the City of Pewaukee on Thursday morning, August 24th.

Officials say the wreck happened at Bluemound Rd. and Takoma Rd. around 11:30 a.m.

A pickup truck driven by a 33-year-old male from Menomonee Falls was traveling eastbound on Bluemound Rd. when it struck a car coming from Takoma Rd.  The car was driven by the 72-year-old.

Collision at Bluemound & Springdale in Waukesha

The male driver suffered minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Waukesha Memorial Hospital.  The female driver suffered serious injuries and was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Bluemound Road will be closed between Saratoga Rd. and Eastmound Rd. for the next several hours.  The accident remains under investigation by the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department.

Collision at Bluemound & Springdale in Waukesha

Robert Evans

WAUKESHA COUNTY — 41-year-old Robert Evans of Milwaukee faces some serious accusations. He is now charged with one count of first-degree child sexual assault in Waukesha County.

According to a criminal complaint filed on Friday, August 25th, Evans had inappropriate contact with a four-year-old girl.

The complaint indicates Evans “had recently fallen on hard times.” The details in the complaint against Evans are quite graphic — and therefore, we will not be sharing them online.

Evans made his initial appearance in Waukesha County court on Friday, August 25th. If convicted on this charge, Evans faces up to 60 years in prison.

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office is now reviewing the deputy-involved fatal shooting of 19-year-old Terry Williams that happened on Sunday, June 11th.

Williams was shot along Milwaukee’s lakefront on that Sunday evening. He was pronounced dead Tuesday, June 13th at Froedtert Hospital.

Dashcam video shows what happened from the vantage point of a deputy trying to pull over the Audi Williams was driving. You can hear the voice of Captain Daniel Hughes speaking about the video from the office of the sheriff.

Despite the squad's flashing lights and an external microphone command to pull over, the video shows the Audi cut across traffic, and then head across park land towards Lincoln Memorial Drive. In slow motion, once on Lincoln Memorial, you can see the Audi jumping the median. The sheriff's office said the Audi then went into the oncoming traffic lanes. That's when Deputy Michael Truax fired into the SUV. The SUV made it back into northbound lanes before it crashed into a parked vehicle.

Terry Williams, Milwaukee County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Truax

Terry Williams

A statement from lawyers involved says "the video clearly shows that Mr. Williams was not trying to run down anyone."

Truax was assigned to foot patrol in the area, and has been placed on administrative leave after this shooting. He's been with the MCSO since August 2016.

The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department was leading this investigation. On Tuesday, August 29th, it turned the case over the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office for review.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.

Frank Schiller

WAUKESHA COUNTY — An Oconomowoc man facing several charges, accused of killing a good Samaritan on I-94 while allegedly driving under the influences has pleaded not guilty.

37-year-old Frank Schiller was in court Thursday, August 31st for his preliminary hearing. He’s accused in the death of Peter Enns of Canada.

Enns was killed and three others were hurt in a crash that happened on I-94 eastbound, just west of Cushing Park Road in Delafield on July 8th.

Schiller faces a number of charges, including OWI, fifth or sixth offense, homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, operating with prohibited alcohol content (PAC), OWI causing injury, PAC causing injury, possession of narcotic drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia — among others.

Frank Schiller

According to the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department, shortly after 9:00 p.m., a passing motorist pulled over to assist the occupants of a minivan that was pulled over on the shoulder of I-94 EB with a flat tire. While the tire was being changed, a vehicle headed eastbound on I-94 struck the minivan and the motorist (Enns) who was assisting the occupants of the minivan.

Frank Schiller

Scene of Delafield fatal crash

The criminal complaint against Schiller says witnesses believe Schiller was driving between 75 and 80 mph in the shoulder of the freeway when the collision happened. Due to the crash involving Schiller’s vehicle and the minivan, two other vehicles had to swerve to avoid the incident, and they crashed. The minivan ended up in a ditch 30 yards away with four children inside. Enns was pronounced dead at the hospital.

In all, five vehicles were involved in this incident. I-94 EB was closed for six hours, and I-94 WB was closed for two while this crash was investigated and crews worked the scene.

Scene of Delafield fatal crash

According to the criminal complaint, Schiller’s mother had called police prior to the Delafield incident “to report her ‘druggie’ son got into a verbal altercation with her and his father.” But he apparently left the scene prior to law enforcement arriving. The mother believed Schiller “was high and would try to evade officers.” When asked why they thought Schiller was high, the father “indicated the defendant was walking kind of funny and looked ‘a little bit tipsy.'”

Frank Schiller

When questioned by law enforcement at a hospital, the complaint says Schiller “stated that he did not remember the incident” in Delafield. A deputy “could smell the odor of intoxicants” coming from Schiller during that interview. The deputy also noted Schiller’s “speech was mumbled and at times he was somewhat incoherent.” Based on this information, Schiller was placed under arrest at the hospital.

In addition to the charges in this case, Schiller has a pending OWI offense in Milwaukee County and four OWI convictions since 2000.

Cash bond for Schiller was set at $1 million on July 10th.

MILWAUKEE -- A Milwaukee mother of two was killed by a wrong-way driver, and prosecutors say that driver was drunk. Candace Franckowiak was working as a medical courier when she was struck head-on, and Franckowiak's family is remembering a devoted mother whose life was taken too soon.

Candace Franckowiak

Tania Perez

"For somebody to go to work and not come home, it's a very hard thing to deal with," Tania Perez, a friend of Franckowiak said.

On Monday, September 11th, as Franckowiak was on the job as a medical courier, her vehicle was struck by a wrong-way driver on Highway 164 in the Town of Lisbon.

"It's been a really hard week," Perez said.

The mother of two died at the scene. The 23-year-old driver of the other vehicle was taken into custody. Investigators say Abby Dominski was drunk.

Abby Dominski

"I would like to see some sort of remorse from her," Perez said.

Dominski appeared in court Wednesday, September 13th wearing a neck brace and protective vest. Her bail was set at $100,000.

"Her family can still talk to her. Her family can still hug her," Cassandra Barrera, Franckowiak's daughter said.

Franckowiak's family members and friends are now leaning on each other for support as they remember a woman who was devoted to her two children and grandbaby.

"We miss her and nobody could take her place. You have your moments where you just, you miss her, very much. You're not going to see her or hear her voice anymore," Perez said.

They said they wanted to speak out because Franckowiak's life shouldn't have been stolen, and there are a lot of people now suffering because of it.

Candace Franckowiak

"Stand up. Speak out. Don't let your friends drive drunk," Perez said.

Candace Franckowiak

Fatal wrong-way head-on crash in Waukesha County

A GoFundMe.com account has been set up to help pay funeral costs and support Franckowiak's two children, one who is still in high school. CLICK HERE if you'd like to make a donation.

BROOKFIELD -- One man is dead after a police pursuit ended in a crash near Bluemound and Calhoun in Brookfield. The incident happened late Sunday, September 24th.

Crash on Bluemound Road between Calhoun Road and Moorland Road

"What could have happened? It was just really disturbing," said Jean Schwerman, resident of Brookfield.

That's how one resident of the Town of Brookfield described the crash -- which claimed the life of the driver.

Officials say around 11:45 p.m., a Waukesha County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a car for a traffic violation related to excessive speed at Barker and Bluemound Roads. The deputy made initial contact with the driver and detected the odor of marijuana.

When questioned, the operator fled eastbound on Bluemound Road at a high rate of speed. Two Waukesha County Sheriff’s Deputies pursued the vehicle.

Crash on Bluemound Road between Calhoun Road and Moorland Road

Crash on Bluemound Road between Calhoun Road and Moorland Road

The suspect vehicle lost control and crashed on Bluemound Road just west of Calhoun Road, officials said. Deputies attempted life-saving measures however, the driver succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on scene.

"It's so sad, you try to think that this area of Brookfield is safe, but you never know what's going to happen," said Christine Lee, resident of Brookfield.

Hours after the accident crews from WE Energies finished putting the light pole together.

"I think it's what, 45 miles per hour? I see people go pretty fast sometimes," said Lee.

Crash on Bluemound Road between Calhoun Road and Moorland Road

Crash on Bluemound Road between Calhoun Road and Moorland Road

The driver has been identified as a 24-year-old man from the City of Milwaukee. Authorities will not be releasing his name until all family notifications have been made.

The two deputies involved were both placed on paid administrative leave. That is standard procedure.

The City of Brookfield Police Department is investigating the incident.

Crash on Bluemound Road between Calhoun Road and Moorland Road

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.

BROOKFIELD — Brookfield police released on Wednesday, September 27th the identity of the person who died in a crash near Bluemound and Calhoun following a police pursuit on Sunday, September 24th.

Officials say the person who crashed the car is 24-year-old Stephan Ramsey of Milwaukee.

Officials say around 11:45 p.m., a Waukesha County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a car for a traffic violation related to excessive speed at Barker and Bluemound Roads. The deputy made initial contact with the driver and detected the odor of marijuana.

Crash on Bluemound Road between Calhoun Road and Moorland Road

When questioned, the operator fled eastbound on Bluemound Road at a high rate of speed. Two Waukesha County Sheriff’s Deputies pursued the vehicle.

The suspect vehicle lost control and crashed on Bluemound Road just west of Calhoun Road, officials said. Deputies attempted life-saving measures however, Ramsey succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on scene.

Crash on Bluemound Road between Calhoun Road and Moorland Road

There were two deputies from the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department involved in the pursuit of Ramsey. They are a 42-year-old man with 16 years of experience with the sheriff’s Department — and a 37-year-old man with two-and-a-half years at the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department.

The investigation into this incident is still ongoing.  Brookfield police plan on finishing the investigation in the next week or two.  At that time the reports will be forwarded to the Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Crash on Bluemound Road between Calhoun Road and Moorland Road

MILWAUKEE -- A family is awaiting justice after their mother was killed in a wrong-way, head-on crash, allegedly caused by a drunk driver. The driver charged in the case pleaded not guilty in court -- something the victim's family says caught them off-guard.

Candace Franckowiak

Wednesday, October 11th, marks one month since 44-year-old Candace Franckowiak was killed in the crash on Highway 164 in the Town of Lisbon. A 23-year-old woman, Abby Dominski, has been charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, and OWI, first offense, causing injury (with PAC greater than .15).

Loved ones say the tragedy is an example of the life-changing aftermath drinking and driving can have.

"I grieve. I still have my moments. I have her picture in my car and I'm like, I can't believe you are not here," said Tania Perez, family friend.

Tania Perez

Abby Dominski

Perez is close to the victim's family, and told FOX6 she was in the courtroom when Dominski entered a not guilty plea.

Officials say Dominski told investigators she was on her way home from a Milwaukee Brewers' game when the crash happened on September 11th.

Prosecutors say she told investigators she went to the Brewers' game with her boyfriend. She said she drove her vehicle to her boyfriend's workplace in Menomonee Falls and they drove from there to Kelly's Bleachers on Bluemound, where they had a couple drinks before heading to the game. After the game, they went back to Kelly's Bleachers and had one more drink before returning to her vehicle in Menomonee Falls. Dominski said in all, she had three beers, a vodka lemonade and, a shot of vodka. When asked if she knew the last road she was on, she said Highway 164, and said "I knew I shouldn't be driving. I was too drunk to drive."

Perez said loved ones did not expect a not guilty plea.

"It caught us off-guard. Obviously we feel she is guilty. She admitted to being under the influence. But then it took us a second to regroup. There are processes in place and things have to take course," said Perez.

Perez said they are holding onto hope that justice will be served. They have a meeting on Wednesday, with the district attorney.

Franckowiak is described as devoted mother whose life revolved around caring for her family.

Abby Dominski

Candace Franckowiak

Candace Franckowiak

"It's been hard trying to pick up the pieces," said Perez.

Perez said this tragedy should serve as a lesson to all.

Fatal crash on Highway 164 in the Town of Lisbon

"If you have a friend who is drinking and you remember this story, drive them home. Call them an Uber. Call them a Lyft. There's too many options to drink and drive," said Perez.

Perez said hundreds of people showed up to  Franckowiak's funeral -- a testament to the impact she had in the community.

On Wednesday, they are planning on placing a cross and flowers at the scene of the crash to mark the one-month anniversary of her death.

SUSSEX — Two people were hurt in a fire at a home in Sussex Monday, October 16th.

Fire officials say it happened around 7:30 a.m. at a home near Aster Drive and Aster Court.

Of the two people hurt, one was taken to the hospital and the other was treated at the scene.

Officials with the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department are investigating.

PHOTO GALLERY

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates.

WAUKESHA — The Waukesha County sheriff wants training for his deputies to perform the functions of immigration agents at his jail.

Waukesha County Sheriff Eric Severson made the request in a May 15 letter obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union in Milwaukee.

Deputies can perform duties of immigration agents after completing a four-week training course with Immigration and Custom Enforcement as part of the 287(g) program. Severson says in the letter his office “will make this program a priority.”

The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office requested the same training in March. Spokeswoman Fran McLaughlin says “the process is still in the hands of the federal government.”

The ACLU criticized the program in a statement Wednesday, saying it would erode immigrants’ trust in law enforcement.

Severson declined to comment.

WAUKESHA COUNTY -- On the heels of President Donald Trump declaring that the country's opioid crisis is now a public health emergency, Wisconsin leaders are pushing for the community to do their part. Drug take back initiatives, like the one happening Saturday, October 27th, are doing more good than you may realize.

Earlier Friday, October 27th, Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel said President Trump's announcement means that more federal dollars are now available to combat the opioid crisis -- but he says the biggest tool to keep these drugs out of harms reach is you.

Brad Schimel

Schimel says the war on drugs has arrived at the doorstep of every Wisconsinite across the state.

"The public has direct and simple role to play in helping us resolve this problem," Schimel said. "We know that over 80 percent of the heroin users started by becoming addicted to prescription painkillers."

Nearly three out of four times when someone starts to abuse opioids, it comes from a family member's medicine cabinet -- not a doctor or a drug dealer. Saturday's drug take back initiative aims to prevent that.

"For the past several years, we've had more heroin and opioid-related deaths, overdose deaths in this county than we have traffic accident deaths," said Deputy Inspector Torin Misko with the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department.

Waukesha County isn't alone. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office tweeted that there have been more than 300 deaths as a result of opioid overdoses this year alone.

"You don't think it's a big deal? You're wrong," Schimel said. "We're collecting at this point every collection day, we're getting over 60,000 pounds."

While the reasons for abuse are still being debated, one thing is clear: disposing of the drugs safely is essential.

"I don't think anyone goes into it realizing how addictive that substance is, and how life-changing and controlling it can be," said Misko.

Wanting to help improve the community, law enforcement leaders say start with cleaning out your medicine cabinet.

Dropping prescription drugs off is easy and simple to do. Law enforcement says they'll accept them no questions asked.

CLICK HERE to find your nearest Drug Take-Back location.

MILWAUKEE -- An inmate of the Milwaukee County Jail died on Friday afternoon, October 27th.

Officials say around 1:45 p.m., a correctional officer called medical staff for an inmate in distress. The inmate was conscious and breathing in the mental health unit at the jail. Medical staff called for an ambulance and then began CPR when the inmate stopped breathing.

The Milwaukee Fire Department responded, but efforts to save the 35-year-old man were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at 3:09 p.m.

The inmate was brought in to the jail on Tuesday, October 17th by the South Milwaukee Police Department. An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.

Investigators from the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office were called to respond -- and Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department detectives are handling the death investigation.