Reckless Driver Arrested Following Pursuit

Jackson Co. Sheriff's Office


JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – A man reported as a reckless driver numerous times around Jackson County on Tuesday is in jail today.  Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies arrested Shadow Lee Newman, 28, of Gladstone, following a 36-mile pursuit on Highway 62 Tuesday evening.  Newman was arrested on charges of attempting to elude police in a vehicle, reckless driving, and recklessly endangering another person.

On March 26, 2019, at 5:22 p.m., dispatch received a 911 report of a reckless driver on Crater Lake Highway (Oregon 62) near Vilas Road.  The caller reported a red Honda Civic hatchback was speeding, driving in the center lane, and veering into oncoming traffic.  Additional callers reported the vehicle nearly caused a head-on crash in White City and cut off an ambulance as it continued north into Eagle Point. 

Dispatch advised that earlier in the day, citizens had called to report the same vehicle driving recklessly in two different areas of West Medford.  Oregon State Police dispatch had also taken a call regarding the vehicle speeding and driving recklessly on Interstate 5 in Medford.  

At 5:31 p.m., a JCSO deputy spotted the vehicle driving north on Highway 62 just south of Shady Cove.  The deputy initiated a traffic stop, but the driver continued north, initiating a pursuit. 

The suspect driver, later identified as Newman, stopped his car in the middle of the roadway in Shady Cove and shouted at the deputy.  He then continued driving north in a reckless manner.  Newman stopped again in the middle of the roadway at the 27-mile marker and shouted at the deputy again.

Newman refused to obey commands from the deputy and continued driving, reaching speeds of 90 miles per hour.  As Newman passed Prospect, his vehicle began smoking heavily and eventually caught fire.  When the vehicle slowed, the deputy was able to execute a PIT (pursuit intervention technique) maneuver, causing Newman’s vehicle to stop on the shoulder near the 55-mile marker. 

Newman resisted deputies’ efforts to take him into custody.  A TASER was used to control Newman’s movements and deputies were able to place him in handcuffs.  He was transported to jail without further incident.  The case will be forwarded to the DA’s Office for prosecution and to review for additional charges.

Deputies were assisted by the Eagle Point Police Department.  Crater Lake National Park rangers and fire personnel assisted at the end of the pursuit.

Case #19-5969





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