Car Chase Leads To Human Trafficking Investigation, Police Say

WILSONVILLE, OR — An 18-year-old man who was arrested in Tualatin on Friday following a police chase that began in Wilsonville has sparked a human trafficking investigation, according to Clackamas County Sheriff's officials.

Roman Lake Culver, 18, of Covington, Wash., was lodged at the Clackamas County jail and reportedly charged with eluding police, assault, and possession of methamphetamine. His bail is set at $20,000, police said.

While investigating a case of suspected prostitution around 4:30 a.m. June 2, Clackamas County deputies contracting with the City of Wilsonville attempted to stop a vehicle allegedly driven by Culver.

As officers initiated the stop, Culver sped off, police said. Seeing at least one female in the car, deputies opted to pursue the vehicle.

A short while later, Culver reportedly struck another vehicle in the Southwest Nyberg Street/Nyberg Lane area of Tualatin and ultimately put the car into a tree, police said.

An assisting Sheriff's Office K9 unit located Culver and helped take him into custody, police said.

Two female occupants were taken from the crashed vehicle to receive medical care at a nearby hospital. One of them reportedly suffered non-life-threatening back injuries, police said. And additional to their medical care, the women received advocacy support from Safety Compass of Oregon, police said, which offers free services for victims of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.

According to Clackamas County deputies, four agencies — the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Tualatin Police, Lake Oswego Police, and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue — participated in the response and investigation.

Anyone with additional information about this incident or Culver is asked to contact the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office at 503-723-4949, or by using the online email form, specifically referencing CCSO Case # 17-14614.

Photo Courtesy: Clackamas County Sheriff's Office