Pursuit of a stolen vehicle ends in crash on I-84
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UPDATE 2-9-23 at 11 a.m.:
Oregon State Police has released more information about the pursuit and crash eastbound on Interstate 84 Wednesday afternoon:
The state police received multiple reports of a white service truck driving erratically at high rates of speed beginning near milepost 193. Those reports included statements that the vehicle was driving over 100 miles per hour, cutting through traffic, passing cars on the shoulder, and nearly crashing numerous times.
OSP attempted a traffic stop at milepost 205 and a pursuit was initiated. Umatilla Tribal Police deployed a spike strip that flattened at least one tire. The driver continued until he struck an occupied commercial motor vehicle at milepost 220.5.
It was then determined that Kurt Leroy Ness, 54, of Eugene was driving a truck stolen out of The Dalles. Troopers stated Ness appeared to be under the influence of intoxicants.
The suspect was taken to St. Anthony Hospital to be checked for injuries before being lodged at the Umatilla County Jail. He is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, reckless driving, reckless endangering, and driving under the influence of intoxicants. The semi driver from Utah was not injured.
Posted Wednesday:
UMATILLA COUNTY – A vehicle, stolen out of The Dalles, was involved in a crash this afternoon on I-84. Oregon State Police (OSP) reports that they received at least three driving complaints related to a pickup truck traveling eastbound on I-84. An initial attempt was made to stop the vehicle near milepost 202, just west of Pendleton, when the vehicle was reported to be traveling at approximately 100 miles per hour. At milepost 216, The Wildhorse exit, Tribal Police utilized spike strips in an attempt to disable the vehicle. According to OSP, at least one of the tires was punctured, however, the vehicle continued on I-84 eastbound up Cabbage Hill. At milepost 220.5, 12 miles east of Pendleton, the vehicle rammed into a semi-truck subsequently ending the chase.
It is anticipated that the driver, who has not been named at this time, will be charged with DUII.
He was transported from the scene to St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton. OSP reports that once he is processed at the hospital, he will be transported to Umatilla County Jail
Additional details will be made available as soon as they are released.
