McMinnville Man Clocked and Arrested for 100 MPH Reckless Driving

The suspect was arrested for Reckless Driving and transported to the Marion County Jail.

Photo from the Marion County Sheriff's Office shows 100 MPH speed recorded on the patrol car's radar unit, with the driver, Jebidiah Murphy of McMinnville in the background.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Marion County Deputy Ryan Postlewait was parked on the Delaney on-ramp to I-5, monitoring the flow of traffic traveling northbound at 10:44 a.m. Monday, when he says he observed a silver colored passenger car traveling at an extremely high rate of speed and turned on his radar.

Jebidia Murphy of McMinnville

He verified the speed of the vehicle at 100 miles per hour. Deputy Postlewait turned on his emergency lights and says he watched as the front end of the vehicle lowered toward the ground, which would indicate heavy braking.

The driver, 36-year old Jebidiah Murphy of McMinnville stopped just north of Postlewait's location.

Sheriff's Office Spokesperson Lt. Sheila Lorance, says the deputy made contact with Murphy, who indicated he thought he was traveling about 90 miles per hour but said there was no reason for how fast he was driving.

"Murphy was arrested for Reckless Driving and transported to the Marion County Jail. Deputy Postlewait indicated the roadway was wet with standing water on portions of the road and there was a slight drizzle."

Lorance says the road conditions and surface of the roadway resulted in a slick surface and potentially hazardous driving conditions especially at that high rate of speed. The posted speed limit for that area is 55 miles per hour.

"The Marion County Sheriff's Office would like to remind drivers to always consider road conditions and drive accordingly. It is also important to drive within the posted speed limit or even slow down depending on the road conditions."

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, studies have shown that traffic moving at a speed that is reasonable for the road and weather conditions results in fewer accidents.

The Basic Speed Rule indicates a motorist must drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent at all times by considering other traffic, road and weather conditions, dangers at intersections and any other conditions that affect safety and speed. Lorance's final message: "Please drive carefully."