Driver Killed During Police Chase North of Lincoln City (UPDATE)

The driver has been identified as 26-year old Michael Aaron Geisler.

Crash scene Saturday along the Little Nestucca River Rd. Photo: Oregon State Police

(LINCOLN CITY, Ore.) - Oregon State Police troopers are investigating a single vehicle fatal traffic crash that occurred early Saturday morning while a vehicle was allegedly attempting to elude Lincoln City police and an OSP trooper north from the Lincoln City area.

The fleeing vehicle was found after it crashed into a tree along Little Nestucca River Road in Tillamook County.

The lone occupant, 26-year old Michael Aaron Geisler who police believe lived in the North Bend area, was pronounced dead at the scene and has not been positively identified.

Saturday at approximately 1:10 a.m., Lincoln City Police say they attempted to stop a 1989 Mercury Cougar two-door in Lincoln City for a traffic violation.

Police say the driver attempted to elude northbound on Highway 101 at a high rate of speed. An OSP trooper became involved at about 1:15 a.m. to assist Lincoln City police in attempting to stop the fleeing vehicle as it continued north into Tillamook County until turning near milepost 91 eastbound on Little Nestucca River Road.

Officers say Mr. Geisler drove east through an extremely curvy section about five miles on Little Nestucca River Road where officers reportedly lost sight of the car.

As Lincoln City police and OSP continued east, a trailing Tillamook County deputy backtracked and discovered the Mercury off the road where it had crashed broadside into a tree at about 1:30 a.m.

The crashed vehicle was discovered by a Tillamook County deputy.

Michael Aaron Geisler, identified through a fingerprint check in AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) as GEISLER, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Preliminary information indicates he was living in the North Bend area and has relatives in Texas and Arkansas.

Police say he had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest issued out of Montgomery County, Texas for Parole Violation on drug-related charge, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Evading Police.

An OSP crash reconstructionist is leading the investigation.

Sources: Lincoln City Police Dept; Oregon State Police