Man chooses jail over river
By Terry Murry on Monday, March 20th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – A pursuit on the southwest side of Pendleton Sunday night at about 9:47 p.m. lasted for only three minutes and reached speeds of about 50 miles per hour. Police Chief Chuck Byram said Wilbert Salazar Jr. is in Umatilla County Jail charged with attempt to elude with a vehicle and on foot as well as reckless driving.
Byram said a patrol officer noticed a speeding vehicle heading north on Southgate.
“When the officer attempt to catch up to the vehicle, the driver accelerated and ran the stop light at Southgate/SW Emigrant Ave./SW 20th Street,” Byram stated in an email. “The officer initiated a pursuit as the driver of the vehicle fled through the parking lot of Melanie Square and then back onto SW Court Avenue.”
Byram said the driver ended up with two flat tires on his black 2008 Cadillac CTS and abandoned the vehicle at Southwest 10th and Southwest Court, fleeing on foot along the Pendleton River Parkway. He then tried to cross the Umatilla River to avoid arrest.
“However, once the male entered the river, he changed his mind and surrendered to officers,” Byram wrote.
