CORVALLIS, Ore. – A 21-year-old man from Central Point was arrested early Saturday morning after a high-speed chase through Corvallis ended in a crash and a confrontation with a K9 officer.
The incident began around 2 a.m. on February 8 when deputies with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a silver 2006 Ford F-150 on Kings Boulevard, south of Circle Boulevard. The driver, later identified as Miles Jamerson Jennings, was pulled over for failing to maintain his lane and suspected impaired driving. However, instead of stopping, Jennings briefly slowed down before accelerating rapidly and fleeing the scene.
Deputies followed Jennings as he sped through residential areas, reaching speeds of more than 80 miles per hour. At one point, Jennings drove the wrong way on a one-way street, Van Buren Avenue, before disappearing from view after dropping off a passenger. Authorities briefly lost sight of him but soon spotted him again near Johnson Avenue and 30th Street. The chase resumed as Jennings turned south onto Fourth Street, where he lost control of his vehicle, spinning out and coming to a stop facing the wrong direction.
In a desperate attempt to evade capture, Jennings drove toward a deputy’s patrol vehicle and two pedestrians on the sidewalk before crashing head-on into the patrol car. He then reversed, maneuvering around the vehicle and continuing to flee, leaving behind pieces of his truck, including a license plate.
The pursuit continued as Jennings drove down Oak Creek Road, where he crashed again on private property near a creek. The vehicle burst into flames after the crash, but Jennings managed to escape on foot. However, his attempt to flee was thwarted when K9 officer Brutus confronted him, leading to his arrest by deputies.
Jennings faces multiple charges, including two counts of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, two counts of recklessly endangering others, driving under the influence of intoxicants, and reckless driving. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 20.
The incident highlights the dangers of high-speed pursuits, which can put both law enforcement officers and the public at risk. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the chase.
