Woodburn Independent Online

Hit-and-run chase goes through Woodburn Thursday

• Published: 11/27/2009 9:43:25 AM
• Last Updated: 11/27/2009 9:45:11 AM

Photo courtesy of OSP
A Rainier man was arrested Thursday after allegedly hitting three other cars and fleeing the scene, traveling through Woodburn.

A hit-and-run suspect was arrested Thursday afternoon after allegedly colliding with three separate vehicles on Interstate 5 north of Salem and leading police and a witness on a chase that went through Woodburn.
 
Oregon State Police troopers arrested Eric Ryan Witt, 39, of Rainier, after forcing his car to stop north of Wilsonville using a tactical vehicle intervention (TVI) technique. As of Thursday afternoon, OSP had interviewed one of the other three drivers and was asking the remaining two contact their department.

According to OSP Sergeant Bob Charpentier, at approximately 11:52 a.m. Thursday, OSP Northern Command Center dispatch received information from a witness that a vehicle was traveling northbound on Interstate 5 after colliding with two other vehicles.
 
The witness continued to follow the 1995 Honda Accord northbound as it exited at Woodburn, drove around in area parking lots, and returned to the northbound freeway lanes.

An OSP trooper set up near the Donald/Aurora interchange spotted the suspect car and attempted to stop it at 12:10 p.m. The suspect sped up to between 80 and 107 mph until having to slow to about 60 mph for heavy traffic.

Near milepost 286, the suspect was driving on the right northbound shoulder at speeds under 30 mph. An OSP trooper deployed a TVI technique against the suspect’s car, causing it to come to a stop.

Troopers took Witt into custody without further incident at 12:19 p.m.

There were no injuries to any involved drivers and no damage to the trooper’s patrol car. Witt's vehicle had minor damage.

Witt, whose driver’s license is suspended, was lodged in Marion County Jail and charged with felony attempt to elude in a vehicle, misdemeanor hit and run, reckless driving and recklessly endangering another person. He was also cited for several traffic violations, including driving while suspended.

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the incident.

OSP is requesting the other two drivers whose vehicles were struck by the suspect’s gold Honda Accord contact OSP dispatch at 800-452-7888.

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