37-year-old man arrested on multiple charges after hit-and-run incidents and police pursuit

Eugene, OR – A 37-year-old man was taken into custody after multiple hit-and-run incidents and a police pursuit through Eugene on the evening of March 30.

At 5:02 p.m., reports were made regarding a Hyundai Sonata involved in two hit-and-run crashes, along with additional calls about reckless driving. An officer with the Eugene Police Department located the vehicle on southbound River Road near Horn Lane and initiated a traffic stop.

Upon approaching the driver, the officer recognized him from a prior reckless driving incident in February, during which the officer had held him in custody for several hours at a hospital.

As the officer attempted to make contact, the driver sped off, leading officers on a chase through a residential area. Other officers later spotted the vehicle at Cornwall and Northwest Expressway. The driver ran multiple red lights, including at Irving Road and Highway 99, before heading toward a busy parking lot at Jerry’s.

Officers executed a forced stop, pinning the vehicle in the parking lot. The driver then fled on foot but was quickly pursued and tackled by an officer. He was taken into custody without further incident and transported to Lane County Jail.

He faces charges including two counts of hit and run, three counts of attempting to elude by vehicle, reckless endangering, and three counts of reckless driving.