Driver Arrested After Chase Begins in School Parking Lot

Investigators say the woman who was arrested had eight outstanding warrants for her arrest.

26-year old Kristie Jeffers of Salem faces several charges in relation to a police pursuit today that began at McKay High School in Salem. Photo: Marion County Sheriff

(SALEM, Ore.) - A driver was arrested in Salem today after brief motor vehicle pursuit that began shortly after noon in the parking lot of McKay High School.

Commander Jason Myers with the Marion County Sheriff's Office says Deputy Kevin Ely stopped a 1998 Ford Contour occupied by two females for a traffic violation.

Ely made contact with the driver, identified as 24-year old Jacqulyn Lewis of Grande Ronde, but after she exited the vehicle the passenger slid into the driver's seat, put it in gear and took off, Myers said.

"While Jacqulyn was speaking with Deputy Ely the vehicle's passenger, later identified as 26-year old Kristie Jeffers of Salem moved into the driver's seat and drove the Contour away from the stop location," Myers said.

That is when Deputy Ely returned to his vehicle and attempted to catch up to the Contour which was traveling west on Wolverine Drive, which is a street that leads to Lancaster Drive from the McKay High School parking lot.

Myers says it didn't take long for the pursuit to become dangerous.

"As the Contour was traveling west on Wolverine Drive it side swiped a 2005 Toyota RAV Sport utility vehicle that was turning out of the Kaiser Permenate parking lot and onto Wolverine Drive."

The Contour continued west on Wolverine Drive and crossed Lancaster Drive he said, and then went off the roadway and became stuck in a grassy area in front of the Family Building Blocks building which is on the Southeast side of the intersection of Wolverine Drive and Lancaster Drive.

"Once the vehicle became stuck the driver exited the Contour and attempted to flee the scene on foot. Deputy Ely chased the driver on foot and was able to get close enough to deploy his taser. The driver discontinued running and was taken into custody without further incident."

Myers says it is fortunate that no students from the high school were in the way when Jeffers chose to try to evade the deputy. "That is true, it is one of those things, it happened quickly and in such a short distance, and it was over very fast."

Jeffers was found to have 8 outstanding warrants and additionally was charged with reckless driving, Hit and Run, felony Attempt to Elude and misdemeanor Attempt to Elude, as well as Forgery. Myers explains that eluding a police officer is a misdemeanor if the person runs from the officer, and a felony if they drive away. He says in this case she committed both offenses.

Jeffers was transported to the county jail where she was lodged on the warrants and associated charges.

The car's driver who was originally pulled over, Jacqulyn Lewis of Grande Ronde, was cited for the original offense but not charged in relation to the pursuit. Myers also told Salem-News she didn't have any outstanding warrants.

There were no injuries to the driver of the Toyota RAV vehicle, Myers added. He says it is a great example of how seldom drivers are successful when trying to elude police officers and how quickly legal problems a person is already facing can escalate.