PHOTO COURTESY OF OSP
Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers arrested a 47-year old Nampa, Idaho man Tuesday afternoon on multiple charges after citizen complaints of a driver harassing other motorists led to an attempt to elude and a struggle with troopers along Interstate 84 west of La Grande.
On Sept. 2at approximately 3:33 p.m., an OSP trooper spotted a 1997 Eagle Talon passenger car displaying an Idaho license plate that was the subject of citizen complaints in which the driver was reportedly harassing other motorists. The trooper attempted to stop the vehicle westbound near milepost 261 but the driver failed to yield and attempted to elude the trooper in a highway construction work zone. The vehicle struck several construction work zone cones and nearly hit other vehicles at which point the trooper pulled back and turned off the patrol vehicle’s emergency lights and siren.
At approximately 3:36 p.m., the vehicle exited the freeway near milepost 257 where it struck a guardrail as the driver tried to return to the eastbound lanes. Using the patrol vehicle, the trooper blocked the vehicle from leaving. The driver crawled out a window and verbally threatened the trooper. A Taser was deployed after which the driver became involved in a struggle with the trooper as two other troopers arrived on scene. The driver continued to resist arrest until the troopers brought him under control and into custody.
The driver was identified as Robert Allan Black. Subsequent investigation led to his arrest and lodging in the Union County Jail on the following charges:
• Felony Attempt to Elude in a Vehicle
• Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude on Foot
• DUII – Alcohol
• Reckless Driving
• Recklessly Endangering Another Person
• Resisting Arrest
• Harassment
One of the troopers later drove himself to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries sustained while taking Black into custody.
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