DCSO deputy on leave after Bend woman fleeing stop, pursuit killed in rollover crash near Alfalfa

(Update: More OSP info on crash; driver comments)

ALFALFA, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Bend woman, apparently fleeing an attempted traffic stop for possibly impaired driving by a Deschutes County sheriff’s deputy, prompting a pursuit, was killed Monday evening in a rollover crash north of Alfalfa, Oregon State Police reported Tuesday.

OSP troopers and other emergency personnel responded around 7 p.m. to the reported single-vehicle crash on Johnson Ranch Road, a half-mile south of Stearns Road, troopers said.

A preliminary investigation found that the driver, Lisa Peaslee, 50, of Bend, had fled a sheriff’s deputy who was stopping her northbound Toyota Scion for violations, OSP said.

Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel confirmed to NewsChannel 21, "The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle for suspicion of impaired driving."

During the ensuing pursuit, her SUV crossed over the oncoming, southbound lane and struck a rock embankment on the southbound shoulder, troopers said. The Scion rolled and came to rest in the road.

Peaslee was thrown from the car, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, troopers said.

"Speed and alcohol use appear to be contributing factors, as an open (alcohol) container was located at the crash scene," OSP's log entry stated.

Sgt. Jayson Janes, the sheriff's office public information officer, said the deputy, whose name is not being released at this time, is on paid administrative leave, a standard process during the investigation.

Area resident Mary Walker told NewsChannel 21 she was driving south on Johnson Ranch Road that night, "driving up out of Shumway Canyon" with her husband when "we saw flashing police lights heading toward us, so I pulled over and set my hazard flashers on."

"A car sped past us heading north, followed by the police car," Walker said. "It was our impression the cop car was not pushing (her) car very hard, but I did comment, 'That first car is going to crash against the rock cliff if he doesn't slow down.' My husband agreed."

She also confirmed online reports that Peaslee lives in the immediate area.

Johnson Ranch Road was closed for about seven hours while OSP and Bend Police crash reconstruction units investigated the scene.

OSP was assisted by the Bend Police Department, Bend Fire and Rescue, the Alfalfa Fire District and the Deschutes County Road Department.