Oregon State Police release info on April 29 high speed chase in La Grande
By Garrett Christensen on Friday, May 1st, 2026 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
LA GRANDE – At around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 29, multiple agencies were involved in a high-speed vehicle chase in and around La Grande. The pursuit initially began after La Grande Police responded to a domestic disturbance call along 18th street, wherein 35-year-old Justin Benintendi fled at high speed, eventually entering I-84. The original press release from the LGPD can be found here.
Oregon State Police has also released some information on the chase in a recent press log, including specific elements of the pursuit and Benintendi’s ultimate arrest. As written in the recent press log:
“On the above mentioned date and time, I overheard on La Grande Police Department’s radio they were in an active pursuit of a white Chevrolet Trailblazer on Adams Avenue headed into town. I started to respond from milepost 268 Interstate 84 westbound. The city terminated pursuit, but advised the vehicle had entered Interstate 84 at exit 259. I attempted to overtake and saw the vehicle now traveling eastbound.
The vehicle ultimately changed directions multiple times and at one point was eastbound in the westbound lanes. Spike strips were deployed near milepost 260 east bound and the vehicle came to a stop at milepost 263 eastbound. The driver exited the vehicle and started walking back towards law enforcement. The driver was given multiple commands to get down and was eventually tased and taken into custody. The driver was cleared by medics on scene then transported to the Union County Correctional Facility.”
Dash cam footage of part of the chase can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BLGoeACXS
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(Author’s note. Photo taken by an EMG staff member.)
