On Tuesday June 27, 2017, at 12:34 a.m., North Precinct officers attempted to stop a driver for a traffic infraction in the area of North Vancouver Way and Middlefield Road. The driver stopped near Jubitz Truck Stop, but as officers exited their patrol vehicle, the driver sped away towards I-5.
Officers pursuing the driver attempted a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) on I-5 northbound approaching Hayden Island but were unsuccessful. During a second attempt, the driver rammed into the patrol car, resulting in the driver losing control of the vehicle and crashing into a jersey barrier.
The driver got out of the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident. A 47-year-old female passenger suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance to a Portland hospital for treatment. Neither officer suffered injuries that required immediate medical treatment.
The driver, 43-year-old Ronald Barnes, was booked into the Multnomah County Jail on charges of Assault in the Second Degree, Attempt to Elude by Vehicle, Reckless Driving, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person. Additionally, Barnes is being held on a parole violation.