Fleeing Suspect Arrested On Multiple Charges

Deschutes Co. Sheriff's Office - 05/03/18


On May 2, 2018 at approximately 10:39 PM, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were dispatched for an unwanted subject at La Pine Inn, a local business.  An employee reported the male was highly intoxicated and out of control.  The male, later identified as Lesley Snyder of La Pine, had left the area by the time the deputy had arrived. Shortly after arriving, Lesley was located by the deputy who observed Lesley driving in a reckless manner as he almost collided into several stationary objects off the highway including a local business.
A traffic stop was attempted by the deputy within seconds on Highway 97 northbound, but Lesley refused to stop.  Lesley’s approximate speeds during the pursuit ranged from 25 mph to 65 mph.  At one time, it was observed Lesley drove his vehicle into oncoming traffic forcing a vehicle off the highway to avoid a collision. The pursuit continued northbound for approximately two miles until Lesley turned around in oncoming traffic almost striking a southbound semi-truck on Highway 97. 
After changing directions and attempting to elude law enforcement, Lesley struck a Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle assisting in the pursuit.  Stop sticks (spike stripes) were successfully deployed twice by Oregon State Police (OSP) during the pursuit, once northbound and another southbound. Due to Leslie’s unsafe, erratic driving and for the safety of the public deputies then continued southbound on Highway 97 attempting to stop Lesley.
While driving southbound on Highway 97, Lesley drove into the oncoming lane of travel multiple times nearly causing another head on collision and running the oncoming vehicle off the highway missing it by a few feet.  Therefore, a member of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office was finally able to safely end the pursuit by performing a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) on Lesley's vehicle resulting in no injuries.  A PIT is a pursuit tactic by which a patrol vehicle can force a fleeing car abruptly sideways causing a fleeing vehicle to come to a stop.  Lesley was taken into custody and received medical attention on site for minor injuries after being noncompliant.  He was later lodged into the Deschutes County Adult Jail with the listed charges above. No deputies or OSP Troopers were injured during this incident.
Deschutes County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the Oregon State Police and the La Pine Fire Department for their assistance with this investigation.
This investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the investigation please contact the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office at 541-693-6911.

Charges:
  •  Felony Elude in a vehicle
  •  Reckless Driving
  •  Criminal Mischief I X 2
  •  Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicant
  •  Reckless Endangering X 9
  •  Hit and Run
  • Attempted Assault III



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