Vancouver man cited for driving look-alike cop car

A Vancouver man has been cited in Oregon for driving 80 mph on Interstate 5 while flashing lights on his car that resembled those used by police.

James Winfrey, 27, was cited Saturday morning near Wilsonville, Ore., after a Marion County sheriff’s deputy saw a black 2009 Nissan Maxima traveling fast in the southbound lanes. The car was allegedly displaying white and amber flashing lights in the front windshield, and flashing blue LED lights in the grillwork. Other cars were yielding to it as it rapidly weaved in and out of traffic, according to a sheriff’s news release.

When the driver saw the deputy, he killed the Nissan’s lights and took the next exit, then turned back northbound, but was followed by another traffic patrol deputy who was nearby.

The deputies stopped the car, which allegedly resembles an unmarked police car, a few minutes later. A light bar identical to those used by police, except that the red and blue bulbs had been changed to white and amber, was suction-cupped to the windshield. The blue LED lights mounted in the grille were allegedly identical to those used by police, according to the news release.

Winfrey allegedly told officers he was en route to a car show and became separated from his group, so he was flashing the lights as he tried to catch up with his friends. He said he generally uses the lights to display the Nissan while at car shows.

He was cited for second-degree disorderly conduct, reckless endangerment and traffic violations, according to the sheriff’s office.

A 12-year-old boy, identified as Winfrey’s son, was riding in the front seat at the time of the traffic stop.