Eugene Police Department arrests man for DUII, resisting arrest after traffic stop

Eugene, OR – On January 1, 2025, at 2:52 p.m., a Eugene Police Traffic Safety Unit officer was finishing a traffic stop at W. 7th Avenue and Polk Street when he observed a Tesla speeding east on W. 7th Avenue. The officer initiated a stop, but the driver, later identified as 55-year-old Rio C. McWilliams, stopped in the middle of the W. 7th Avenue and Washington Street intersection. The officer used his air horn to get McWilliams to move the vehicle out of the busy intersection.

McWilliams pulled into the far-right lane of W. 7th Avenue, where the officer suspected impairment during their interaction. McWilliams failed to comply with the officer’s instructions, resisted arrest, and refused to exit the vehicle despite efforts by multiple officers.

During the struggle, officers used a taser in drive stun mode and pepper spray to gain McWilliams’ compliance. After being removed from the vehicle, McWilliams continued to resist three officers who struggled to control his arms. Once in custody, Eugene Springfield Fire evaluated McWilliams and medically cleared him before a DUII investigation was conducted at Lane County Jail.

McWilliams was released from jail and cited for DUII, Resisting Arrest, Speeding, and Careless Driving.