ASHLAND, Ore. – Early this morning Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies attempted to pull over a vehicle for speeding on Hwy. 62 in White City, Ore. At 4:22 a.m. the vehicle eluded towards the Interstate-5 Expressway southbound. Medford Police Department (MPD) joined but the pursuit was quickly terminated with regards to public safety. The unsafe nature of the pursuit included the suspect passing vehicles on the right shoulder, and driving recklessly at speeds upwards of 110 mph.
The suspect vehicle’s location was relayed south to JCSO, MPD and Phoenix Police Department (PPD) units. JCSO and PPD successfully deployed spike strips at 4:29 a.m. near I-5 exit 21. The vehicle was disabled but continued to elude at slower speeds so the pursuit was reengaged with Ashland Police Department (APD) assisting.
The suspect vehicle crashed just after I-5 exit 19 in Ashland and two suspects fled on foot. The crash ignited a small grass fire that was quickly extinguished by law enforcement. A JCSO K9 unit tracked and detained the female suspect, and the other is at large.
A backpack was found with suspicious items, so in an abundance of caution, Oregon State Police (OSP) Bomb Squad was called to the scene. OSP Bomb Squad determined the suspicious items to be inert. Law enforcement is attempting to locate the male suspect. The case is under investigation, more information will be released as it becomes available.
