Deputies Arrest Salem Man for Driving 120 MPH

Police say that in Oregon, speeding is the number one contributor to death and injury in traffic crashes.

19-year old Cesar Arevalo Photo: Marion County Sheriff

(SALEM, Ore.) - Marion County deputies say today just after 7:30 a.m., Sergeant Jim Krieger entered Highway 22 eastbound at Joseph Street, when he observed a Black 1994 Toyota Camry traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed. Sergeant Krieger pulled in behind the vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop using lights and sirens. However, the suspect was traveling at over 120 miles per hour, directly into the bright sun and it appeared he may not have been able to see behind him, Lt. Sheila Lorance with the Marion County Sheriff's Office said. "Sergeant Krieger followed the vehicle for approximately 3 miles, which was only about 90 seconds at that rate of speed, until the suspect pulled over. Sergeant Krieger was able to make contact with the driver, 19-year old Cesar Arevalo," Lorance said. Arevalo reportedly indicated he was driving fast because he needed to get his sister to work. There were also two other passengers in the vehicle with them. Lorance says Arevalo was subsequently arrested for Reckless Driving, three counts of Reckless Endangering and transported to the Marion County Jail. Reckless Driving is defined as; someone who is driving a vehicle recklessly on a highway or other premises in a manner that endangers the safety of persons or property. According to Oregon law, Reckless Endangering occurs when a person recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another person. Both that charge and Reckless Driving are Class A misdemeanors and can result in up to a $5000 fine and a 90 day suspension of driver's license. In Oregon, speeding is the number one contributor to death and injury in traffic crashes. Lorance reminds drivers that speeding tickets can also be very expensive; "if you are caught driving 100 miles per hour or higher you will receive a fine of $1103.00 in addition to a 30 to 90 day driver's license suspension," she said. "Another factor to consider in driving at such high rates of speed is the amount of time it takes to slow down or stop. A vehicle can travel a very long distance before coming to a stop, for example: If you are driving 10 miles per hour, you are traveling 14.7 feet per second, the average reaction time to even start applying the brakes is 1.5 seconds, with that factored, the total stopping distance would be 27 feet. However, at 120 miles per hour the total stopping distance would be over 685 feet - well over the length of 2 football fields." Lorance says the Sheriff's Office would like to remind everyone to drive safe and not be in a hurry.