‘Stop sticks,’ pursuit maneuver end Hwy. 26 chase, stop fleeing fugitive

RHODODENDRON, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Gresham fugitive who fled Warm Springs tribal police at high speed on U.S. Highway 26 was stopped near Rhododendron early Monday morning, but it took “stop sticks” (spike strips) and a pursuit intervention technique (PIT maneuver) to do so, Clackamas County sheriff’s deputies said.

Deputies responded just before 3 a.m. Monday to help Warm Springs police pursuing a pickup truck fleeing on Highway 26, sheriff’s Sgt. Marcus Mendoza said.

Warm Springs police had probable cause to arrest the 43-year-old driver for attempting to elude and reckless driving. Oregon State Police and Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies also had probable cause to arrest the man on Deschutes County charges of third-degree assault and hit-and-run.

Warm Springs officers terminated their pursuit after reaching the Government Camp area, Mendoza said.

Clackamas County deputies went to Highway 26 east of Rhododendron and prepared to intercept the driver. They stopped eastbound traffic for public safety and prepared to deploy stop sticks. Within a few minutes, the pickup was spotted still heading west on the highway.

Deputies successfully used the stop sticks, designed to create a controlled deflation of a vehicle’s tires.

Mendoza said deputies pulled behind the pickup and turned on their lights, but the driver refused to stop, instead turning onto a narrow gravel road that loops back to the highway, still heading west.

Deputies then used the PIT maneuver, which causes a vehicle to spin. By then, Mendoza said, the driver’s-side tires were falling apart and the pickup was driving on two metal wheels.

Once the truck stopped, deputies and K-9 Coda ordered the driver out. He eventually compiled and was taken into custody without further incident, Mendoza said.

Ford was taken to the Clackamas County Jail and booked on charges of attempting to elude, reckless driving and second-degree criminal mischief.

The incident closed Highway 26 in both directions at the east end of Rhododendron for about 20 minutes. ODOT workers in the area for a nearby road project assisted by stopping traffic and rearranging cones to let traffic pass once the scene was safe.