Madras driver, two passengers arrested after two-county chase at up to 130 mph, manhunt using K-9 team, drone

(Update: More information from Crook County sheriff's sergeant)

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – A 20-year-old Madras man allegedly driving at 130 mph without headlights led law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit late Saturday night that turned into a manhunt involving Jefferson, Crook and Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies, a K-9 team and a drone and led to the arrest of the driver and two passengers.

Shortly after 11 p.m., Crook County sheriff’s deputies responded to Highway 26 near NW Gerke Road to assist Jefferson County deputies involved in a high-speed pursuit, Sergeant Justin Silence said.

The initial report from Jefferson County was that a white sedan was traveling through Madras at 130 mph in a 25 mph speed zone, with no headlights on. Oregon State Police also went to SE Grizzle Road to assist Jefferson County deputies as the pursuit moved into Crook County and law enforcement lost sight of the car at times, amid late light-night traffic and mostly dry roads.

Crook County deputies and Prineville Police officers set up spike strips but were unsuccessful in flattening tires on the 2018 Chevy Camaro, which continued to head toward Prineville on Highway 26, seen at speeds of 100 mph.

Shortly after the driver entered Prineville, deputies terminated the pursuit, for safety reasons, Silence said. A short time later, the car was spotted on NW Campbell Ranch Road off Elliott Lane. Officers approached it with guns drawn, but found the occupants had run.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded with a K-9 team to the location, and a Crook County deputy deployed an unmanned aircraft system (drone) to help search for the car’s occupants, Silence said.

He said All three men were found hiding behind an old wood-famed building and taken into custody.

OSP troopers said the 20-year-old driver faces felony charges and the two passengers were charged with trespassing.

The driver was being held Sunday at the Jefferson County Jail on charges of attempting to elude officers in a vehicle and on foot, reckless driving, recklessly endangering and driving with a suspended or revoked license. Jail records showed he refused a blood alcohol test but that jail officers placed him in detox status after noting the “odor of alcohol.”

NewsChannel 21 policy is not to name arrested subjects until and unless formal charges are filed.

Court records show the driver pleaded guilty last August to an August 2022 DUII charge and admitted to a .10 blood-alcohol content. He was sentenced to a one-year driver's license suspension and two years’ probation, while ordered to undergo substance abuse treatment, perform 80 hours of community service and take part in a victim impact panel. He also was ordered to consume no alcohol and not visit any bars or taverns.

The case's last file entry, on Nov. 15, from Central Oregon Evaluation Services indicated he had failed to complete evaluation and treatment placement.

Court records also show the driver pleaded guilty last November to driving with a suspended or revoked license last Sept. 15 on SW Feather Drive. In that case, he was sentenced to a year's probation and a suspended 14-day jail term.