Driver leads police on chase.Byline: Matt Cooper Matt Cooper may refer to:
A high-speed car chase on Interstate 105 ended Saturday afternoon with a van in the Willamette River Willamette River River, northwestern Oregon, U.S. It flows north for 300 mi (485 km) into the Columbia River near Portland. Oregon's most populous cities are in its valley. The Fremont Bridge, a steel arch with a main span of 1,225 ft (373 m), crosses the river at Portland. and a driver in custody, Eugene police said. Bruce Patrick Edward Roy, 44, was arrested after a police chase that reached 80 mph on the highway, snaked through the Owen Memorial Rose Garden west of Skinner Butte Skinner Butte (also called Skinner's Butte) is a prominent hill on the north edge of downtown Eugene, Oregon, United States, near the Willamette River. Skinner Butte is a local landmark and the location of Skinner Butte Park, a municipal park. and ended when the driver sped into the river, Lt. Rich Stronach said. Police first stopped the motorist on the highway after responding to calls of an erratic driver, Stronach said. But the driver bolted during the stop, starting a chase along West Sixth Avenue and Madison Street, Stronach said. After driving on a bike path through the 7-acre display garden, the driver was eastbound east·bound adj. Going toward the east. eastbound Adjective going towards the east Adj. 1. on a bike path along the river when he went down a bank and into the water, the lieutenant said. "He just deliberately took a left and headed for the water," Stronach said. The van, white with gray stripes and at least two broken windows, was pulled from the river by 8 p.m. Police routinely allow drivers to remain in their vehicles at the beginning of a traffic stop, and drivers occasionally take off, Stronach said. Although the chase followed a riverside path popular with bikers and walkers, police correctly chose to maintain the pursuit, Stronach said. The risk to the general public was small compared to the danger of allowing the reckless driver to escape, he added. "It was pretty vital that we get the guy apprehended and get him off the road," Stronach said. Roy, who was wanted on a municipal court warrant, was charged with eluding e·lude tr.v. e·lud·ed, e·lud·ing, e·ludes 1. To evade or escape from, as by daring, cleverness, or skill: The suspect continues to elude the police. 2. an officer, reckless driving reckless driving n. operation of an automobile in a dangerous manner under the circumstances, including speeding (or going too fast for the conditions, even though within the posted speed limit), driving after drinking (but not drunk), having too many passengers in , driving under the influence of intoxicants, hit and run and criminal mischief, Stronach said. There were no serious injuries, he added. Wayne Eastburn / The Register-Guard CAPTION(S): Eugene Fire Department water rescue members examine a van used by a driver who tried to evade e·vade v. e·vad·ed, e·vad·ing, e·vades v.tr. 1. To escape or avoid by cleverness or deceit: evade arrest. 2. a. police Saturday afternoon. The van ended up in the Willamette River. |
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