June 4, 2024 10:00 a.m. 

Sutherlin Police were involved in a high-speed chase Monday night, with a vehicle whose driver ended up hospitalized.

Police Chief Troy Mills said earlier in the day at approximately 2:50 p.m. a sports car was being pursued by an Oregon State Police trooper on Interstate Five near the Garden Valley Boulevard interchange. Mills said that pursuit was terminated due to driving conditions and the vehicle’s location was unknown.

Just after 8:45 p.m. a Sutherlin Police officer saw a sports car matching the description of the earlier pursuit, on Camas Court in Sutherlin. The vehicle turned from Camas Court and onto South Calapooia Street, traveling north. Mills said an SPD officer initiated a traffic stop and the sports car came to a stop briefly then accelerated at a high rate of speed. A pursuit was initiated, but due to the vehicle’s recklessness, the pursuit was terminated.

Mills said a short time later, the vehicle was located by SPD officers driving on Highway 99 north near Oakland. The male driver, later identified as 30-year-old Gavin Gangle, and a 21-year-old female exited the vehicle and began running north on the railroad tracks. Another passenger, a 25-year-old year old man, exited the vehicle and was detained by SPD officers.

Mills said a Douglas County Sheriff’s Office K9 tracked Gangle and the other man on the railroad tracks to the exit 140 off ramp of Interstate 5. An Oregon State Police trooper in the area located the two men attempting to hide just off the side of the roadway. They were taken into custody without incident.

Gangle was charged with felony elude, and two counts each of reckless driving and reckless endangering. Gangle was taken to CHI Mercy Medical Center for monitoring after he reportedly swallowed narcotics. He is listed in serious condition at last check, according to a hospital spokesperson. Mills said the other two people were released, but future charges may follow pending conclusion of the investigation.