Two people are in jail this morning after a high-speed chase in Umatilla County Tuesday afternoon.
The incident began at approximately 12:40 p.m. when an Oregon State Police trooper from the Pendleton Area Command observed a speeding 1989 Nissan 240Z on Interstate 84 westbound near milepost 232 traveling 91 mph in a 65 mph zone. As the trooper attempted to overtake the speeding vehicle it increased its speed in excess of 120 miles per hour.
Jacob RossWhen the trooper turned his vehicle’s overhead lights, the speeding Nissan pulled into the westbound truck scales near milepost 228, turned around, and began to travel the wrong way on the interstate in an attempt to elude the trooper. The trooper discontinued pursuit of the vehicle. Minutes later, the trooper located the vehicle again near the westbound Deadman’s Pass rest area and the vehicle again began to flee traveling north on Kanine Ridge Road and into the Umatilla Tribal Reservation.
The fleeing vehicle traveled north on Kanine Ridge Road at slower speeds due to the rough terrain and eventually became disabled after about eight miles. Both the male driver and a female passenger fled on foot into the hillside and down a ravine.
Whitney JohnsState troopers from Pendleton, Hermiston, La Grande, an OSP aircraft from Baker City, as well as the Umatilla Tribal Police responded to the area and established a perimeter and began an air and ground search for the suspects. At approximately 2:02 p.m. the male suspect identified as Jacob Ross, age 25, of Des Moines, Wash., was taken into custody after he was located hiding and partially covered by brush. A short time later the female, identified as Whitney Johns, age 22, of Tacoma, Wash., was located and taken into custody.
Ross was lodged at the Umatilla County Jail on the charges of felony attempt to elude, misdemeanor attempt to elude, reckless driving, reckless endangerment and second-degree criminal trespass.
Johns was lodged at the Umatilla County Jail on the charge of second-degree criminal trespass.
