Three Oregon State Police troopers have been placed on administrative leave after a striking a vehicle driven by a man eluding the OSP and seriously injuring him.
The incident began around 1:17 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 2 when OSP troopers attempted to stop a 1992 Honda Accord on Fulton Road near milepost 2 in Umatilla County for speeding. The vehicle attempted to elude troopers at a high rate of speed. The pursuit continued on rural roads where a trooper successfully deployed spike strips flattening at least one tire. The vehicle continued to elude and entered the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
Once on the reservation, the vehicle came to a stop and a female passenger got out of the vehicle. The driver drove off at a high rate of speed, continuing to elude troopers. While eluding, it is believed the suspect fired a firearm at a pursuing patrol car striking it twice.
Near the intersection of South Market and Tutuilla Church Road both the suspect and his vehicle were intentionally struck by two Oregon State Police patrol vehicles. The adult male suspect was seriously injured and was transported to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Pendleton, then transported by air ambulance to a Portland Area Hospital. The troopers were uninjured.
This incident is being investigated as a Deadly Physical Force incident. The Oregon State Police has requested the Pendleton Police Department lead the investigation. Three Oregon State Police Troopers have been placed on paid administrative leave which is standard practice in deadly physical force incidents. The name of the driver and female passenger have not been released.
Agencies assisting in the investigation and at the scene include the Oregon State Police Criminal Services Division, Pendleton Police Department, Umatilla Tribal Police Department, Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
