High-speed pursuit across state line ends in collision

A 23-year-old Vancouver woman driving a stolen car led Clark County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a high-speed chase on Interstate 5 into Portland, where she eventually ran a red light and struck another vehicle, police said.

Jalyssa C. Wegesa was allegedly high on methamphetamine or cocaine, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.

Deputies responded to 5515 N.E. 45th Avenue, in the east Minnehaha area, at about 11:35 a.m. Thursday following a call from the Department of Corrections alerting them that Wegesa was at the residence. Deputies’ response to the home was triggered by an outstanding warrant for Wegesa’s arrest that stemmed from a previous misdemeanor.

As they arrived in the neighborhood, deputies received a report that Wegesa had stolen a white Subaru hatchback and left the home “at a high rate of speed.”

Authorities observed the Subaru drive through numerous stop signs. Her driving was described as “erratic,” according to the release.

On the freeway, the car passed vehicles on the right, “narrowly missing numerous collisions.” She ultimately collided with a vehicle in Portland near Southwest Fifth Avenue and Barbur Boulevard, police said.

The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.

Wegesa was transported to Portland’s Adventist Medical Center, where “she was hysterical and uncooperative,” according to the release. Clark County deputies and Portland Police Bureau detectives attempted to secure court warrants to draw Wegesa’s blood to determine “what, if any, substance impairment (she) was under,” according to the release.

Thursday night, Wegesa was being held on $22,500 bail in the Multnomah County detention center in Portland on suspicion of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, possessing a stolen motor vehicle, attempting to elude police by vehicle and foot, reckless driving and hit-run driving that caused damage to property, a jail employee said.

Wegesa also could be charged in Clark County with driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, attempting to elude police and theft of an automobile, according to the release.