Citizen Leads OSP Troopers to Driver Suspected in Hit & Run Near Tualatin

The 911 caller reportedly agreed to follow the car so police could intercept it, and they caught up with the driver at Washington Square Mall.

The two occupants of the 2002 Honda Accord struck involved in the collision with the suspect were transported to Meridian Park Hospital with minor injuries. Photo courtesy: Oregon State Police

(TUALATIN) - An Albany-area man is in custody Saturday evening on multiple charges related to a hit and run injury crash on Interstate 5 near Tualatin.

The arrest was helped by a citizen who followed the suspect to Washington Square Mall where he was contacted by troopers as he reportedly tried to get a ride out of the parking lot.

State Police say Saturday around 6:20 p.m., OSP's dispatch center received numerous calls of a reckless driver traveling northbound on Interstate 5.

The callers reported a silver 2004 Ford Escort was traveling in excess of 100 mph, swerving across all lanes and passing on the shoulders, and flipping off other drivers.

OSP says that as they were trying to get a trooper in position to stop the Ford, dispatch received a call at 6:29 p.m. of a rollover traffic collision northbound at milepost 287.

Information reported that the silver Ford struck another car, forcing it into the side barrier where it rolled over. The Ford did not stop as it fled northbound on Interstate 5.

Shortly after the report was received of the rollover crash, OSP reports receiving a call from a citizen on their cell phone who was behind the Ford.

The caller reportedly agreed to follow the car so police could intercept it. The Ford was followed to the Washington Square Mall where it pulled into the Sears area parking lot.

"The driver abandoned the car and began contacting other patrons in the parking lot, apparently trying to get a ride out," OSP spokesman Lt. Gregg Hastings said.

OSP Trooper Ted Moisan and Recruit Trooper Kimberly Long arrived and took the suspect into custody without incident.

21-year old Noel Ruiz Ulep of Albany, was lodged at the Washington County Jail for Felony - Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver Involved in a Traffic Crash (Felony); DUII; Assault in the Third Degree (2 counts); Reckless Driving; Reckless Endangering Another Person (2 Counts); and, Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree (2 Counts).

The two occupants of the 2002 Honda Accord struck involved in the collision with the suspect were transported to Meridian Park Hospital with minor injuries.

They are identified as driver, 86-year old James Edward Davidson of Woodburn, and passenger, 71-year old Shirley Baumgardner of Woodburn.