By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer
April 21, 2007

On Wednesday evening, the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office engaged in the third high-speed pursuit along Interstate 84 within the past two months.

However, this incident proved different when the suspect vehicle left the freeway to zigzag along rural roadways and city streets.

Jonah Smith-Sedaghaty, 23, of Lake Oswego, was arrested near the intersection of Seventh Street and Cascade Avenue after a 30-minute chase.

According to reports, he tried to escape on foot after finally being forced to park his vehicle. He has been lodged in NORCOR and charged with DUII, Attempting to Elude Police in a Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Recklessly Endangering and Attempting to Elude Police on Foot.

The pursuit began about 10:30 p.m. on April 18 when an eastbound Oregon State Police trooper clocked a vehicle traveling westbound at 109 miles per hour near The Dalles. The incident was reported to the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office and relayed to Hood River law enforcement officials.

Local deputies and the Hood River City Police were also advised that the lights of the Honda Acura were frequently being turned off. Because the car was black, it was difficult to keep track of.

However, Hood River patrol cars did spot the vehicle as it speeded past Exit 63 outside Hood River. They attempted a traffic stop but Smith-Sedaghaty veered off the freeway at Exit 62 and then re-entered in the eastbound lanes. He exited again at Exit 63, crossed the State Street bridge and headed southbound on Highway 35, speeding at least 100 miles per hour at times.

Smith-Sadaghaty then zipped along Whiskey Creek and Eastside roads before returning to Highway 35. He raced past the community of Mt. Hood before turning back toward Hood River, in spite of two attempts to stop him with spike strips. The vehicle lights were still being turned off while he traveled at a high-rate of speed.

By that time, Sheriff Joe Wampler began tracking the car in his search plane. He relayed the coordinates of the car that had not re-entered the city via State Street.

Minutes later, Smith-Sedaghaty was forced to stop and the chase was over. During the pursuit, a city patrol car and a private vehicle were both damaged, although no one was hurt in the collision.

Sheriff Capt. Jim Tomson said the situation could have been much worse. He credited the training of law enforcement officials for preventing a fatality in two March pursuits, as well as the most recent incident.

“There are a lot of people who don’t end up as lucky as the three we have put in jail. They end up six feet under or have permanent mental and/or physical injuries,” he said.

Tomson said whenever a driver takes off during an attempted traffic stop, deputies and police have to assume that he poses a danger to society and give chase. He said every attempt is made to protect the public safety during a pursuit, which can be challenging if the suspect goes into a populated area.