Reckless Driving/ Attempt to Elude Results in Arrest
By Garrett Christensen on Sunday, January 29th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE — (Release from the La Grande Police Department) On Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 11:51pm a La Grande Police officer observed a maroon colored 2014 Dodge Durango traveling west on Jefferson Avenue approaching 2nd Street. The vehicle was being operated with no headlights or taillights. As the driver turned north onto 2nd Street and proceeded over the 2nd Street viaduct, the vehicles speed increased to 50 mph. The officer activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop on Y Avenue near 3rd Street. The driver of the Dodge Durango failed to stop and instead accelerated away from the officer.
The officer pursued the vehicle as it traveled east on Y Avenue and then north on Spruce Street to Mt. Glen Road, ultimately taking Booth Lane toward Hunter Road. The pursuit was terminated in the interest of public safety, as the driver of the Durango was driving at excessively dangerous speeds and with increasing recklessness. The vehicle was last seen traveling south on Hunter Road, toward Island City.
A few minutes after the pursuit was terminated, La Grande Police officers located the suspect Dodge Durango in the parking lot of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, located at 2702 Adams Avenue. The vehicle was unoccupied. Through subsequent investigation, officers were able to identify the suspect driver as 34-year-old DALE WESLEY LAHR of La Grande. LAHR was located at Bud Jackson’s Eatery & Taps and ultimately arrested without further incident.
During the course of the investigation, it was learned that LAHR drove off the roadway along Booth Lane, damaging a section of wire fence.
LAHR was arrested and booked into the Union County Jail on the following charges:
▪ Reckless Driving;
▪ Attempt to Elude;
▪ DUII;
▪ Hit and Run – Property Damage; and
▪ Criminal Mischief.
This investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed. If you have information pertinent to this case, please contact the La Grande Police Department and speak with Officer Carman at 541-963-1017.
