Oregon State Police say that a truck driver was arrested after refusing to stop for police and driving the wrong way for miles prior to slamming into another semi near Cottage Grove early Sunday morning.
Oregon State Police say that they received calls about a semi truck traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-5 at mile marker 163 at 1:37 a.m. on Sunday, November 22.
An officer with the Cottage Grove Police Department spotted the wrong way truck and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but police say that the truck driver drove on the shoulder and continued north on southbound I-5.
Police say that at mile marker 173, the wrong way truck driver, later identified as 53 year old Texas resident Tylor Stafford, crashed into a truck driven by 53 year old Oregon resident Daryl Rickman.
Stafford’s truck then hit a concrete barrier and caught fire.
Oregon State Police say that Stafford fled on foot but was captured by an officer from the Cottage Grove Police Department.
No injuries were reported.
Stafford was charged with DUII (driving under the influence of intoxicants), Reckless Driving, and Reckless Endangering.
The incident closed southbound I-5 for about 3 hours.