Ashland man crashes into pole during police chase

PHOENIX, Ore. -- Phoenix Police arrested an Ashland man on Friday for crashing into a utility pole at Interstate 5 North near milepost 33.

According to a Monday morning news release from the Phoenix Police Department, an officer tried to pull over 33-year-old Michael D. Brenden for a traffic violation on I-5 North and Brenden kept going.

"The vehicle failed to yield to the officer's emergency lights and siren and eluded northbound on I-5, at times exceeding 100 MPH," the release said. "The vehicle was spiked by a Central Point police officer near mile post 31 on I-5. The spike appeared to flatten the right rear tire of the suspect vehicle."

Brenden reportedly exited at milepost 33 then tried to go to I-5 South by driving over the sidewalk/curb and crashing into a utility pole.

"A Sergeant from the Jackson County Sheriff's Department was able to safely and successfully PIT (Precision Immobilization Technique) the suspect vehicle prior to it getting back onto I-5 southbound," the release said. "The PIT maneuver disabled the suspect vehicle and the suspect then attempted to escape on foot."

A deputy was able to arrest Brenden, the release said, with the help of his K-9. Brenden was taken to Providence Medical Center to be treated for dog bites and is now lodged at Jackson County Jail on seven charges of first-degree criminal mischief, eluding in a vehicle, eluding on foot, reckless driving, reckless driving, driving under the influence of intoxicants and driving while suspended.

The full news release is transcribed below.

On Friday, June 2, 2023 at approximately 2038 hours, a Phoenix Police Officer attempted to pull over a vehicle for a traffic violation on the I-5 northbound on-ramp at Exit 24. The vehicle failed to yield to the officer's emergency lights and siren and eluded northbound on I-5, at times exceeding 100 MPH.

The vehicle was spiked by a Central Point police officer near mile post 31 on I-5. The spike appeared to flatten the right rear tire of the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle exited at Exit 33 northbound, then attempted to get back on I-5, southbound, by driving over the sidewalk/curb and crashing through a utility pole at exit 33.

A Sergeant from the Jackson County Sheriff's Department was able to safely and successfully PIT (Precision Immobilization Technique) the suspect vehicle prior to it getting back onto I-5 southbound. The PIT maneuver disabled the suspect vehicle and the suspect then attempted to escape on foot.

A K-9 Deputy from the JCSO was able apprehend the suspect with the assistance from his K-9. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to Providence Medical Center to be treated for dog bites prior to being lodged at the Jackson County Jail.

Suspect: Michael D. Brenden, 33 Y/O, from Ashland.

Charges:

Release prepared by: Chief Derek Bowker

For more information, contact:

Chief Bowker at 535-1113 x306

Izzie Lund is the digital content manager at NewsWatch 12. You can reach Izzie at [email protected].