Two young boys tragically lost their lives and two other children are hospitalized after a driver fled from sheriff's deputies and crashed his vehicle in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. The incident unfolded in the town of Delafield, approximately 25 miles west of Milwaukee, just before midnight on Wednesday.

According to a news release from the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department, the incident began when a deputy attempted to pull over a vehicle that was speeding and had no license plates displayed. However, the driver refused to stop and fled from the deputies, resulting in a pursuit.

Tragically, the chase ended in a devastating crash, causing the vehicle to roll over. Authorities have confirmed that six individuals were inside the car at the time, including the driver and his 29-year-old girlfriend. The driver, a 29-year-old man who was wanted on a warrant for felony possession of a firearm, is currently in critical but stable condition. His girlfriend is also in critical but stable condition.

The driver's two sons, both ten years old, sadly did not survive the crash. Additionally, his 14-year-old niece, who was also in the vehicle, is currently in critical condition. The youngest occupant of the car, a six-year-old girl, was airlifted to a nearby hospital and remains in critical condition.

During a news conference, Waukesha County Sheriff Eric Severson expressed deep sadness over the loss of two young lives, emphasizing that this tragic incident could have been avoided. He stated that the deputies involved in the pursuit had not even made contact with the driver before the tragedy unfolded. The vehicle was traveling at such high speeds during the chase that it became invisible to the deputies.

The investigation into the crash is now being handled by the Wisconsin State Patrol. Authorities, who have not yet released the identity of the driver, have mentioned that he could face additional charges from the state police, including counts of fleeing and eluding causing death and counts of reckless driving causing death.

In accordance with Wisconsin state statute, the incident will be independently investigated by the Washington County Sheriff's Department, as it resulted in the death of an individual due to the actions or omissions of law enforcement officers.

Sheriff Severson affirmed that he believed the deputies involved in the incident had followed protocol and done nothing wrong, adding that there was no evidence to suggest that any laws were violated. He further stated that the deputy who initiated the traffic stop remains on duty.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the enforcement of laws to prevent such heartbreaking situations. The community mourns the loss of two young lives and hopes for the swift recovery of the hospitalized children.