PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Columbia County Sheriff’s office says the driver of a suspected stolen car died, and a second person has life-threatening injuries after a police chase ended in a fiery crash Sunday night.
The sheriff’s office says that on Sunday around 9 p.m. a deputy spotted a car that fit the description of a stolen vehicle that had eluded Scappoose police Saturday. The deputy tried to pull over the 1989 Nissan 240SX, but the vehicle took off and a 15-minute, 18-mile chase began.
A Vernonia Police officer ahead of the chase set up a spike strip to stop the fleeing car. Police say the driver tried to avoid the spikes, but lost control of the car and left the roadway, crashing. Then vehicle burst in flames.
A deputy and police officer were able to pull the passenger from the car, but they could not get to the driver. The crash happened on Scappoose-Vernonia Rd, about three miles east of the Nehalem River Highway.
The driver’s and passenger’s identities were not immediately available.
