Police Searching For Suspects Who Rammed OSP Patrol Car

OSP requests that anyone who observes any suspicious persons in Washington County to contact 9-1-1.

Photo: Oregon State Police

(BANKS) - At 3:30 PM Saturday, Oregon State Police Trooper Tim Holbrook, a seven-year veteran of the Oregon State Police, received information from Washington County Dispatch that a stolen vehicle that had been involved in mail thefts had been seen in the Buxton Area west of Banks.

He located the vehicle, a 1989 Chevrolet Pickup, and attempted to stop it.

It attempted to elude the trooper and went west on US 26 at 50-60 mph.

It turned onto Strassel Road, which is west of Staley's Junction.

Approximately four miles up the icy gravel road, Trooper Holbrook lost sight of the pickup on a curve.

As the trooper rounded the curve, the pickup was now facing the patrol car about 100 feet away.

The trooper opened his patrol car door, drew his weapon, and gave the driver of the pickup commands to exit.

The driver accelerated directly at the trooper.

The trooper fired several shots as it closed in on him.

The driver did not stop and hit the driver's side door of the patrol car forcing the door closed on the trooper.

The vehicle then continued northbound. The trooper had to turn his vehicle around to follow.

He lost sight of it again.

Approximately 3/4 of a mile away, he found the pickup partially off of the roadway with no one inside.

The operator was a white male adult. The passenger was a white female adult.

WACCA contacted area residents and advised them that the suspect and his passenger were at large and urged them to lock their doors.

The area was searched as thoroughly as possible with the cooperation of deputies from the Washington County Sheriffs Office.

A helicopter from the Yamhill County Sheriffs Office had to be called off due to weather.

Trooper Holbrook received minor injuries that did not require medical attention.