Drunken joy ride lands La Crosse man’s 2016 truck in Mississippi

Famous last words were, “Got it up to 90 man.”

His truck is still in the Mississippi River, slowly heading downstream.

Earl Steele decided to take a friend on a joy ride through Houska Park in La Crosse on around 11 p.m. Sunday night.

The last thing that friend, 22-year-old Zachary Ammann, remembers, before swimming out the truck window, was Steele saying, “This thing really opens up … Got it up to 90 man.” Neither men were hurt.

Police could only see the 2016 Chevy Colorado’s taillights submerged near the foot bridge in the side slough at Houska. They assume Steele went airborne after hitting the curb, avoiding the rocks that line the river.

Fire crews didn’t want to risk getting it out in the dark with the current. It is still in Swift Creek now.

Steele, who told police he had a couple Miller Lights at the Old Style Inn, was charged with OWI among other things.

His blood-alcohol content was .15.

OnStar first notified police of the incident, as the rep. there said, the vehicle is showing its in the water.

Steele told police he was going 40-45, but multiple parts of his story changed as he was questioned.