McMinnville Man Leads Police On Chase, Attempts To Hit Officer

FOREST GROVE, OR — A McMinnville man was arrested late last Friday after leading three police agencies on a chase through Western Washington County and attempting to hit one officer with his car, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Joseph Edward Eison, 20, was taken to the Washington County Jail on several charges, including hit and run, criminal mischief, attempt to elude an officer, DUII, and unlawful use of a weapon. His bail is set at $25,500.

According to police, the Washington County Sheriff's Office was first to respond to a hit and run at Northwest Banks and Northwest Sellers roads on the Northside of Banks around 11:30 p.m. Nov. 25. Witnesses reportedly told police a 1994 Jeep Cherokee had struck a power pole and drove away.

A Forest Grove police officer who spotted the Jeep a short while later when it entered Forest Grove attempted a traffic stop, but Eison reportedly chose instead to lead police on a chase through the city.

With Washington County deputies and Forest Grove and Cornelius police officers in pursuit, Eison wound through the city to a dead-end street near 24th Avenue and Cedar Street, just north of Pacific University, and seven miles from where he allegedly struck the power pole in Banks.

Turning his car around, Eison aimed the Jeep at Forest Grove police Sgt. Jeremy Lazenby. With Lazenby out of his patrol car, shouting at Eison to give up the chase, the Jeep lurched forward and narrowly missed the officer.

Eison crashed again a short while later — this time into a yard. He then exited his vehicle and reportedly tried to flee on foot before he was ultimately captured by police.

Eison suffered minor injuries during the ordeal and required medical clearance before he was taken to the county jail, police said, noting no law enforcement officials were harmed.

Image via Washington County Sheriff's Office