Out of gas driver gets courtesy ride to jail when car is found to be stolen

By Griffin Beach on Friday, April 10th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

MEACHAM – A driver who called Oregon State Police to ask for help when she ran out of gas on Interstate 84 near Meacham ended up getting a ride to the Umatilla County jail when it was found the car she was driving was stolen.

Chelsey Whitson, 34, of Moscow, Idaho called OSP at around 4:20 p.m. on Wednesday. When a trooper responded it was discovered that the vehicle she was in had been reported stolen, and that Whitson was the suspect.

Whitson faces two felony charges for the vehicle theft. She was given conditional release at an arraignment Thursday and her next court date is Apr. 14. The vehicle was towed at the owner’s request.