January 25, 2025 9:20 a.m. 

Deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office are seeking an allegedly armed Seaside man who eluded authorities following an attempted traffic stop on Wednesday.

Lieutenant Brad O’Dell said shortly after 5:00 p.m. a deputy attempted to stop a sedan in the 800 block of John Long Road at Rice Hill. O’Dell said the vehicle allegedly took off at a high rate of speed. It was pursued to the 2000 block of the road, north of Oakland. The sedan then got onto the freeway and headed southbound. An officer from the Sutherlin Police was able to successfully deploy spike strips on the eluding vehicle. The chase continued to the Sutherlin hill where the vehicle crashed into a ditch.

A man, later identified as 47-year old Billy Best, reportedly jumped out and ran. The deputy started to chase him and saw what looked to be a black handgun in Best’s hand. The deputy went back and detained a female that was in the vehicle. The 46-year old was taken into custody and charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine.

O’Dell said said a K9 track was started. Nearby residents to the west were alerted by a reverse 911 that law enforcement was seeking the man. After hours of looking, deputies were unable to locate Best. He has multiple warrants for his arrest and will be facing charges of eluding in a vehicle and on foot, reckless driving, and reckless endangering from Wednesday night’s incident.

DCSO was assisted by the Sutherlin Police Department and Oregon State Police.

O’Dell said Best is described as a white male adult, approximately 6 feet tall, weighing approximately 200 pounds with several tattoos. He was last seen wearing dark clothing at the time he ran from police. The community is being asked to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to 911.

Booking photos of Best from 2022 can be viewed with this story at www.541radio.com.