La Pine man arrested after brief chase, crash

An attempted traffic stop in La Pine late Wednesday night led to a brief pursuit, crash and the arrest of a La Pine man, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

A deputy tried to pull over a blue 1994 Toyota Tercel around 11:40 p.m. for a traffic violation (an unsignaled turn) on Burgess Road near Highway 97, said Sgt. Troy Gotchy. But the driver, later identified as Michael Roy Callaghan, 55, instead sped away from the deputy, who initiated a pursuit, Gotchy said.

The driver turned north onto Skidgel Road, then onto Railroad Street during the pursuit, which lasted less than a minute at speeds reaching about 45 mph, the sergeant said.

The deputy lost sight of the car temporarily due to the dust from the road, but when he came around a corner on Railroad, he found the car lying on the driver’s side in the ditch.

A second deputy arrived on scene, and they contacted the driver, who said he was injured, Gotchy said. They approached the car and found Callaghan inside.

La Pine Fire medics were dispatched to the scene and helped Callaghan out of the car, treating him for minor injuries at the scene and releasing him to deputies.

Callaghan was taken to the county jail in Bend on charges of felony attempting to elude, reckless driving and criminal mischief. He later was released on his own recognizance, according to jail officers.

Alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the incident, deputies said.

Oregon State Police also assisted in the incident, Gotchy said. The damaged car was towed from the scene by Central Oregon Towing.