High-Speed Chase on I5 Ends in Arrests and Collision

Yesterday, Oregon State Police (OSP) units were involved in a high-speed chase on Interstate 5 as they pursued a Dodge Charger traveling at an alarming rate of speed. The incident began when OSP received information about the speeding vehicle, prompting troopers to locate the car and attempt a traffic stop due to the observed reckless driving behavior.

However, the driver of the Dodge Charger had other plans and managed to elude law enforcement, sending multiple agencies, including Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) and Central Point Police (CPPD), on a chase to locate the vehicle. The fleeing car was eventually discovered at a local business, where it once again managed to escape law enforcement, re-entering the Interstate and continuing to drive recklessly at very high speeds.

As the pursuit unfolded, OSP attempted to bring the situation under control. An OSP Sergeant set up to deploy stop sticks in an effort to halt the vehicle. In an attempt to avoid the stop sticks, the driver of the Charger attempted an evasive maneuver, ultimately losing control of the car and crashing into an unoccupied OSP vehicle.

All three occupants of the Dodge Charger fled the scene on foot, but thanks to the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies, a perimeter was established, leading to the successful apprehension of all three individuals.

Both passengers were cited and released on the scene before being transported to a Medford area hospital for suspected minor injuries. The driver was taken by OSP to a nearby hospital for medical clearance, and later lodged at the Jackson County Jail.

The driver faces a slew of charges, including Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle (UUMV), Reckless Driving, Attempting to Elude law enforcement, Reckless Endangering, Hit and Run, and Criminal Mischief.

As this remains an ongoing criminal investigation, OSP Captain Kennedy told Medford Alert they are unable to provide additional information at this time.

Notably, it’s important to mention that the OSP Sergeant involved in the incident was positioned behind hard cover and was not in his vehicle at the time of the collision.