PPD has two pursuits in less than six hours
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
PENDLETON – Pendleton police officers were involved in two pursuits within six hours. One resulted in an arrest while the other was called off due to danger to the public and is being investigated.
The first pursuit started at about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday when an officer attempted to stop a driver for a traffic violation at Southeast Goodwin Avenue near the Third Street interchange. The driver yielded to let a passenger out and then took off at a high rate of speed. The white 2015 Chrysler 300 was heading west on Southeast Isaac Avenue when police stopped the pursuit into the downtown area.
That unidentified driver continued to travel at a high rate of speed and crashed into another vehicle at South Main Street and Court Avenue while running a red light. The vehicle continued north on Main Street. The driver of the crashed vehicle was not injured.
The second incident, which started at 12:50 a.m. today (Wednesday) began as an attempted traffic stop on a black 2007 Honda at the Southeast Ninth and Third interchange. The driver fled at speeds of about 60 miles per hour on Southeast Court until entering Interstate 84. At that point, speeds of over 100 miles per hour were reached. Again in the interest of public safety the pursuit was terminated.
An estimated three minutes later the suspect vehicle traveled back into the Pendleton city limits on Tutuilla Road at about 60 miles per hour. Officers pursued the vehicle and found it crashed in Olney Cemetery. Officers saw a female walking away and took her into custody.
Cecelia J. Crawford, 25, of Pendleton is charged with attempt to elude with a vehicle, attempt to elude on foot, and hit and run property damage. She also had four failure to appear warrants. PPD is also asking the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office to add a criminal mischief charge once a damage estimate for the grounds at Olney Cemetery is completed.
