Suspects Arrested in South Medford After Vehicle Pursuit

Medford, Oregon- A Medford-area transient was arrested Thursday afternoon after attempting to elude law enforcement during a vehicle pursuit that reached speeds of 60 miles per hour and endangered multiple lives, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

Whittney Ann Word, 32, was taken into custody following a pursuit that began around 1:04 p.m. near the intersection of 10th Street and Fir Street in Medford. A Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputy initially attempted to stop Word after observing her vehicle run a stop sign and nearly hit a bicyclist, authorities said.

When the deputy activated lights and sirens, the suspect vehicle fled at low speeds, running several additional stop signs. With no traffic in the area, the deputy was authorized to use a Pursuit Intervention Technique, or PIT maneuver, to disable the vehicle. The initial attempt was unsuccessful, and the vehicle continued eastbound onto Barnett Road, accelerating to approximately 60 mph.

Officials said Word ran a red light at the intersection of Barnett Road and Riverside Avenue, nearly colliding with another vehicle. The pursuit ended near East Barnett Road and Highland Drive after a second, successful PIT maneuver by the deputy.

Medford Police Department officers arrived on scene to assist and helped take Word into custody. During the arrest, the vehicle’s passenger, identified as William Clifford Sanders, 51, also a transient from the Medford area, interfered with officers and was subsequently arrested.

Word was booked into the Jackson County Jail on charges of attempting to elude in a vehicle, recklessly endangering, and reckless driving. Sanders faces charges of interfering with a peace officer and resisting arrest.

The case remains under investigation. No further details have been released.