Long pursuit ends in an arrest
By Terry Murry on Thursday, August 15th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
MORROW COUNTY – A pursuit that began in Boardman and ended on Highway 730 near Lewis and Clark Drive covered a little more than 30 miles, ending on Highway 730 in Morrow County. Fernando Contreras Jr. was arrested after a foot pursuit once he abandoned his vehicle near Lewis and Clark Drive.
It took officers almost an hour and 20 minutes to bring the chase to a close. The pursuit included the suspect driving on Interstate 84 as well. He was moving at speeds of 15 to 75 miles per hour, according to police reports.
Morrow County District Attorney Justin Nelson arraigned Contreras in Sixth District Circuit Court yesterday. Charges against him include felony attempt to elude law enforcement. His bail was set at $50,000. A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Wednesday of next week.
The Boardman police officer who initially stopped the suspect says he requested backup and Contreras drove off. He and the backup lieutenant then followed. After going through Boardman, he drove onto Interstate 84 westbound where the officer said his driving became more erratic.
“He was driving down both lanes and both shoulders of the freeway at speeds ranging from 15 to 75 miles per hour,” the officer wrote in a court document.
The suspect then exited the freeway at Tower Road. After traveling about 10 miles south, he allegedly made a U-turn. While on Tower Road, police report he drove into a ditch, damaging the driver’s side of his vehicle. He then returned to I-84 moving east.
The court document said that near milepost 160, Contreras almost struck an Oregon State Police vehicle, while a trooper was working to deploy spike strips. He exited the highway onto Highway 730, where he attempted another U-Turn to return to the freeway.
“In the process, he struck a reflective sign, removing it from the ground,” the officer reported. “Just east of Lewis and Clark Drive, Fernando attempted to drive off the road and through a field. His vehicle became stuck and he fled the vehicle on foot.” After a brief search, Contreras was located and taken into custody without incident.
