Attempt to Elude, Sept. 14

On September 12, 2018 at about 11:46 AM, an Oregon State Police Trooper attempted to stop a reckless driver that was in a full size Dodge Pickup on Interstate 5 in the Azalea area.  The driver of the Dodge Pickup, later identified as 24 year-old Garrett Lee Nielsen of Winston, eluded the Trooper and ultimately ended up crashing  into the Trooper’s stopped Patrol vehicle in the 1100 Block of Autumn Road in Azalea. Nielsen fled on foot and made it to another residence in the 1100 Block of Autumn Road where he stole a Toyota Tundra Pickup and attempted to flee the area.  Nielsen drove by several law enforcement officers from multiple agencies in his attempt to flee the area and crashed the second vehicle a short time later. Nielsen was taken into custody and was transported to Three Rivers Hospital with possible injuries where he was treated and released.  At the request of Oregon State Police, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will conduct an investigation into the crash between Nielsen and the Oregon State Trooper. Nielsen was transported to the Douglas County Jail and charged with the following crimes by the Oregon State Police:  • Felony Elude- Vehicle; • Reckless Driving;• Reckless Endangering (Three Counts); • Misdemeanor Elude- Foot; • Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle; • Unauthorized Entry into a Motor Vehicle; • Burglary I; • Criminal Trespass I; • Possession of a Controlled Substance – Heroin.