Why there was a police chase up to 115 mph on Interstate 5 from Salem to Wilsonville
A McMinnville man suspected of domestic violence led police on a chase on Monday on Interstate 5 from Salem to Wilsonville at speeds of over 115 miles per hour.
Oregon State Police said a domestic assault was reported on Sunday evening on Highway 214 near Silver Falls State Park. They say they located the vehicle of the suspect just before noon on Monday east of Salem on 72nd Avenue near Joseph Street.
When police tried to stop the car, the driver took off and drove north on Interstate 5 at high speed, eluding troopers from Oregon State Police and the Salem Police Department.
The car got off of Interstate 5 just south of the Willamette River and became stuck in a field off Eilers Road in Clackamas County.
Police say the suspect, who had a hatchet, refused to get out of the car until a Clackamas County trooper discharged a chemical irritant into the car. They said he got out of the car and was arrested.
The man, who has not yet been arraigned, will be charged with burglary, attempting to elude police, reckless driving, assault, strangulation, harassment and unlawful use of a weapon.
He was taken to Marion County Jail and was still in custody as of Tuesday morning.
Bill Poehler covers Marion and Polk County for the Statesman Journal. Contact him at bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: High-speed police chase on I-5 from Salem to Wilsonville
