August 30, 2024 3:50 p.m.

Sutherlin Police jailed a man after a high-speed chase on Friday.

Captain Kurt Sorenson said at about 12:15 p.m. dispatchers received information about a possible stolen vehicle that was at West Central Avenue and Hutchins Street. Sorenson said it was reported that the stolen vehicle was a white Kia sedan bearing California plates.

Officers from SPD and a deputy from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office located that vehicle and attempted to contact the driver. He failed to yield and entered the freeway headed south from the main Sutherlin interchange. The vehicle quickly sped up and a pursuit was initiated.

Sorenson said officers from SPD followed the vehicle southbound at a high rate of speed. The sedan eventually left the roadway and spun into the center median about two miles south of the south Sutherlin exit. The driver was taken into custody without incident. There was a female and a young child in the car as well. No one was injured.

Sorenson said the driver was identified as 29-year-old Decota Ray Willis of California. The license plate on the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Portland, while the car was stolen out of Washington. Willis was charged with attempting to elude police in a vehicle, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, reckless driving and recklessly endangering. He was detained without bail.