Pursuit from Benton County to Polk County Stopped by Spike Strip Deployment

This incident was a great indicator of how well Law Enforcement jurisdictions from multiple agencies work together to protect the public from danger.

Photo courtesy: Polk Co. Sheriff's Office

(DALLAS) - On 5-1-2014 at about 6:00 p.m. the Benton County Sheriff's Office contacted the Polk County Sheriff's Office to request assistance with a pursuit that began in the city of Corvallis. Units were advised that a white 2000 Subaru bearing Oregon Plates YPV051 had eluded Corvallis PD and was involved in a hit & run accident during the pursuit in their city.

Benton County Sheriff's units carried the pursuit as it left Corvallis and followed the involved vehicle up Independence Highway (Corvallis Road in Polk County) to the city of Independence.

Independence Police attempted to spike the tires of the involved vehicle, but they were unsuccessful. The vehicle continued north through Independence where it was spiked by Polk County S.O. personnel at the intersection of N Main Street and Polk Street.

The successful spike deflated both driver's side tires of the involved vehicle bringing the speeds of the pursuit from the 90's down to the 50's.

Another Polk County S.O. unit spiked the passenger front tire successfully on Highway 51 at Rogers Road causing the vehicle to slow further.

When the involved vehicle got just north of Halls Ferry Road on Highway 51 the driver stopped the car in the middle of the highway and gave up.

The driver was identified as Jon Tilles from Corvallis. He was lodged at the Polk County Jail on charges of Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering and Eluding Police.

The Benton County Sheriff's Office and Corvallis Police will add additional charges to be filed in Benton County.

This incident was a great indicator of how well Law Enforcement jurisdictions from multiple agencies work together to protect the public from danger. It also secured confidence in the equipment being used to reduce hazards that pursuits present to the general public.

Because of the quick actions and great communications between agencies the pursuit was brought to an end before anyone was injured.

News Release from Polk Co. Sheriff's Office