July 23, 2021 10:30 a.m. 

A Roseburg man was arrested on Coos County charges, early Friday.

A Coos County Sheriff’s Office report said just after 2:00 a.m. a deputy was contacted by a construction flagger at the intersection of Highway 101 and South Johnson Street in Coos Bay. The report said the flagger pointed out a vehicle and said that a construction flagger had nearly been hit when the vehicle did not stop for the stop flag.

The report said the deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, but it proceeded north despite efforts to stop it. A deputy with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office successfully deployed spike strips in the Lakeside area. However, the vehicle still failed to yield and continued northbound until the pursuit was terminated near Gardiner due to safety concerns.

The report said the driver was identified as 65-year old Russell Surkamer. The suspect had just been convicted of attempting to elude a police officer in Douglas County, last month. Surkamer was eventually arrested by the Florence Police Department and transported to the Coos County Jail.

Charges include attempting to elude a police officer, recklessly endangering a highway worker and reckless driving.

CCSO was assisted by DCSO and by the Reedsport Police Department.