November 13, 2021 3:40 p.m. 

Staff with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office are investigating Thursday’s police incident on Highway 30, west of St. Helens, which left an Oregon State Police Trooper in critical condition.

Sheriff Brian Pixley said that afternoon, OSP troopers, CCSO deputies, and the Rainier Police Department had been engaged in a short pursuit with a suspect fleeing from a criminal incident in Longview, Washington. That pursuit was later terminated. Sheriff Pixley said shortly after that, OSP Trooper John Jeffries was struck. The suspect rammed an OSP patrol car, which then struck Trooper Jefferies. He was taken by ground transportation to Legacy Emmanuel Hospital in Portland, where he remains.

Sheriff Pixley said the suspect was taken into custody and transported to the hospital, where he is being treated for injuries sustained as a result of the crash.

An OSP update said the extent and severity of Trooper Jeffries injuries are being determined. OSP said the medical team is continuing to monitor, evaluate and treat Trooper Jeffries visible injuries and the internal trauma caused as a result of the incident.

The investigation is ongoing and being handled by CCSO, the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office, the Washington County Major Crimes Team, and the Washington County Crash Reconstruction Team.