Bend Man Tries to Elude Deputies in RV

A breath test on the suspect showed his blood alcohol content at .25, more than three times the legal limit.

Irvin Wetzell Photo: Marion County Sheriff's Office

(STAYTON, Ore. ) - On Tuesday, just before 4:30 PM, Marion County Sheriff's Deputy Matt Wilkinson noted that a recreational vehicle he was following on Hwy 22 east of Stayton had expired registration tags.

He stopped the motorhome, a 21' 1978 Flair, at about mile post 28 and contacted the driver, 45-year-old Irvin Wetzell, of Bend.

After the initial contact with the man the deputy believed that Wetzell was intoxicated.

As Deputy Wilkinson was talking to Wetzell, Wetzell put the motorhome in gear and drove away westbound on Hwy 22.

After a pursuit on Hwy 22 of nearly 11 miles at speeds between 55 and 60 mph, a deputy assisting in the pursuit deployed spike strips puncturing all of the tires on the passenger's side of the motorhome.

The motorhome drove off the road onto the shoulder.

Wetzell attempted to pull back onto the highway but the motorhome got stuck in a ditch.

He did not comply with the instructions of the deputies at the scene.

Deputies had to use a Tazer to gain control of Wetzell.

He was taken into custody without further incident.

Wetzell was taken to the Marion County Jail where a breath test showed his blood alcohol content at .25, more than three times the legal limit.

He was charged with Attempt to Elude a Police Officer, Reckless Driving, Resisting Arrest, Failure to Carry and Present a Drivers License and DUII. He was also cited for Driving Without a License and Driving Uninsured.