Keizer Pursuit Leads to Arrests and Recovery of Loaded .40 Caliber Handgun

(Keizer) - No bystanders were injured during a police chase in a Keizer neighborhood Friday morning. It is reported that speeds reached as high as 70 mph on River Road North and surrounding streets.

Keizer Police Officer David Babcock says it began just before noon when he saw a black Honda two-door being driven in a careless manner, placing people and vehicles in the vicinity at risk. Babcock says he attempted to stop the Honda, but the driver accelerated and eluded him. The chase continued through neighborhoods west of River Road for about four minutes, reaching maximum speeds of about 70 mph.

Police say the driver of the Honda, later identified as 26-year old Morgan Cook of Keizer, changed directions several times during the pursuit, at times nearly crashing into responding patrol cars as he sped past.

During the pursuit, police say two passengers jumped out of the moving car at separate times. The first, a male, jumped from the car but was not located. The other person, Heather Matthews, rolled several times before striking a telephone pole. She was transported by Keizer medic personnel for evaluation at the Salem Hospital, before being lodged at the Marion County Jail for a probation warrant.

The pursuit reached the end of Chemawa Road North and officers say Cook attempted to turn around in an orchard. While traveling through the orchard, he struck a tree, disabling his car. Officers say that as they moved toward him, he threw a loaded .40 caliber handgun out of the car and placed his hands in the air.

It was later determined that the gun was stolen. Cook received minor injuries from crashing into the tree and was pinned beneath the dashboard of the car. He was treated and released at Salem Hospital for the listed charges and transported to jail. When it was all over, another female subject was located in the back seat of the Honda. She was checked by medics and released from the scene.

Cook was charged with Felony Attempt to Elude, bail $10,000, Reckless Driving, bail $5000, Reckless Endangering, bail $5000, Assault II, bail $25,000, and Theft I/Possession of a Stolen Firearm, bail $10,000.

Keizer Police say additional charges against Cook may be forthcoming. It was determined that he has a felony warrant for absconding State Probation with no bail.

24-year old Heather Marie Matthews of Salem was charged with Absconding a Probation Warrant with no bail.