Struck a Deputy’s Patrol Vehicle, April 5

Lane Co. SO release – A Lane County Sheriff’s deputy attempting to stop a vehicle for traffic violations was injured Sunday night after a suspect used his vehicle to ram the deputy’s patrol vehicle. Shortly after 9:00pm, a deputy observed a vehicle on Territorial Hwy. near Hwy. 126 driving without a front license plate. After passing by the deputy, the vehicle accelerated to approximately 80mph and began passing unsafely in a no passing area. At one point the vehicle turned around and started driving back towards Hwy. 126 to which the deputy followed with lights and siren activated. Near the intersection of Hwy. 126 the suspect stopped his vehicle and turned it into the direction of the pursuing patrol car. The suspect accelerated and smashed into the front of the patrol car, disabling the patrol car and injuring the deputy’s shoulder. The suspect then sped away eastbound on Hwy. 126. A short time later, Eugene Police Officers located the suspect vehicle unoccupied at an apartment complex in the 1300blk of Oak Patch Rd. The deputy in this incident is recovering from his injury. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150 opt. 1.