Grants Pass Man Arrested After 40-Mile Attempt to Elude

The arrest occurred after officers successfully deployed spike strips and deflated at least one tire on his vehicle.

Salem-News.com

(ALBANY, Ore. ) - Oregon State Police troopers arrested a Grants Pass-area man Thursday night after he attempted to elude State, county and city officers on Interstate 5 between Eugene and Albany.

The arrest occurred after officers successfully deployed spike strips and deflated at least one tire on his vehicle.

At approximately 7:50 PM an Oregon State Police trooper attempted to stop a Ford Windstar van northbound Interstate 5 near milepost 196 for traveling 85 mph in a 50 mph construction speed zone. The driver, later identified as 54-year-old Bradford Lee Harris, from Grants Pass, failed to yield and sped up to approximately 105 mph as he continued northbound.

Additional OSP troopers and officers from Coburg Police Department and Linn County Sheriff's Office moved into position to assist with stopping the fleeing van as it continued north toward Albany.

Linn County Sheriff's Office attempted to spike the van's tires near the Highway 34 interchange but the van avoided the attempt. Albany police successfully deployed spike strips near milepost 234 and the van continued about one mile before stopping.

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Harris was taken into custody without further incident at 8:15 PM and is being lodged in Linn County Jail for Felony Attempt to Elude in a Vehicle and Reckless Driving.

Harris has a valid license and does not have any outstanding warrants. He gave no detailed explanation for not initially stopping in the Eugene area.

Source: Oregon State Police