Sisters Man Arrested for Attempting to Elude Police

The driver was arrested on charges of Felony Attempt to Elude in a Vehicle, Reckless Driving, 3 counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person and DUII.

Police say this is the van that tried to outrun them Photo: Oregon State Police

(SISTERS, Ore.) - A Sisters-area man was arrested early Sunday morning on multiple charges after police say he tried to elude an Oregon State Police trooper on Highway 20. The man was taken into custody after a Black Butte Ranch police office successfully deployed spike strips.

It apparently began at approximately 1:37 AM when OSP Trooper Sean Belding was at the scene of an abandoned motorhome on Highway 20 near milepost 83 preparing to have it towed as a hazard when a green 1995 Toyota Previa van drove past westbound.

Sergeant Eric Brown with Oregon State Police says the van turned around and pulled up next to the OSP patrol car that had its rear overheads and yellow flashing amber lights on.

"Trooper Belding was outside the patrol car and contacted the lone occupant who said he was going to notify police about the motorhome. The trooper noted a strong odor of alcohol and other indicators that the driver was visibly intoxicated."

Brown says that when the trooper attempted to further question the driver and to pull onto the highway shoulder, the driver sped away eastbound.

"Trooper Belding got into his patrol car, activated all emergency lights and siren and notified OSP dispatch the van was attempting to elude. Near milepost 85, the driver lost control and slid into a snowbank but was able to pull out and continued to elude eastbound at speeds up to 80 mph on icy roads."

Black Butte Ranch Patrol Officer Mitch Elliot was set up with spike strips at the entrance to Black Butte Ranch near milepost 93 and was able to spike all four tires on the fleeing van, Brown said.

The van stopped about 1 1/2 miles later at about 1:49 AM. The driver, identified as 49-year old Bruce Iverson Berryhill of Sisters, got out of the van and refused to comply with the officer's directions. After a brief struggle Berryhill was taken into custody.

Berryhill was lodged in Deschutes County Jail on charges of Felony Attempt to Elude in a Vehicle, Reckless Driving, 3 counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person and DUII.