On April 29, 2021 at about 7:44 PM, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a red Toyota Tacoma driving in excess of 100 MPH in the area of Clear Lake Road and Greenhill Road. The complainant added that the involved vehicle had beer cans flying out of the back, was passing erratically and had driven in and out of the ditch multiple times. Information was relayed to surrounding agencies and a patrol of the area was without success. At about 8:14 PM, a deputy with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office observed a similarly described Toyota Tacoma traveling eastbound on East 7th Avenue in Eugene at about 70 MPH. The Tacoma was speeding through red traffic lights and swerving all over the road as it drove in and out of traffic for an unknown reason. The deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver fled and initiated a pursuit that led eastbound on I-105 towards I-5. The Tacoma continued to drive in a similar manner and reached speeds of 100 MPH. At one point, the Tacoma crashed into another vehicle, occupied by a mother and baby, then continued westbound on Beltline Highway (The mother and baby were thankfully uninjured) Numerous attempts were made to spike strip the Tacoma’s tires, but were unsuccessful. The pursuit continued to West 11th in Eugene then ended off Royal Avenue shortly after the driver lost control of the Tacoma and hit a traffic sign. The driver exited the vehicle then challenged deputies and officers to kill him. The driver failed to obey police commands and reached at his waist and into his pockets multiple times. A police K9 was deployed and the driver was taken into custody without further incident. The driver was identified as 21 year old Jesse Bravo. Bravo sustained minimal injury and was transported to the hospital for evaluation. Bravo was later lodged at the Lane County Jail for Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, Failing to Perform the Duties of a Driver (x2) Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Cocaine, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering (X4) and Driving While Suspended – Misdemeanor.
