January 10, 2023 11:20 a.m.
A Roseburg man was jailed after a police pursuit early Tuesday.
A Douglas County Sheriff’s Office report said just before 2:00 a.m. a deputy saw a motorcycle traveling at 90 miles per hour on Interstate Five near McClain Avenue, just south of Roseburg. The deputy pursued the motorcycle which sped up. The deputy caught up to it six miles later. Prior to activating the patrol vehicle’s lights, the rider allegedly cut in front of a semi-truck to take the exit, which prevented the deputy from following.
The deputy pulled to the side of the freeway to get a direction of travel on Dole Road when he noticed the motorcycle get back on the freeway and head south. The pursuit continued for a mile on the freeway, where the motorcycle exited again. The rider made a u turn and passed on the passenger side of the patrol vehicle in the 12000 block of Highway 99 south. The rider got back on the freeway southbound and the pursuit continued.
After approximately six miles, the rider exited the freeway and went south on Old Pacific Highway until he missed a turn and ended up on Bills Road. The rider tried to turn around but looked like he didn’t have room, so the deputy got out of his vehicle to try and remove him from the bike. The rider was able to spin out and accelerated toward the deputy and almost struck another patrol vehicle.
A witness called dispatch and said the motorcycle had gone into a trailer park in the 800 block of Old Pacific Highway. K9 Ozzy was deployed and tracked along the river. The K9 was barking and the handler announced the presence of the K9. As they approached, a man identified as Christopher Sullivan announced his presence. He came out of a pile of wet leaves and was detained. The suspect was shaking heavily and was soaking wet. The man admitted to being the rider and said he had jumped into the South Umpqua River, losing his shoes, jacket and helmet. Sullivan admitted to giving up because of the K9 and not wanting to be bit.
Sullivan, age 27, was charged with attempting to elude police in a vehicle and on foot, reckless driving and recklessly endangering another person. He was detained without bail.