On March 2nd, at about 11:00p.m., a Newport Police Officer observed a Subaru Legacy driving carelessly at a high rate of speed near Hwy 101 and SW Angle ST. The Officer activated his overhead police lights to stop the car. The driver failed to yield to the Officer and instead sped up continuing south on Hwy 101. Near Hwy 101 and SW 68th ST, the driver then turned around and headed back north on Hwy 101 at high rates of speed.
Newport Officers were able to deploy “spike strips” on the roadway which the driver drove over. The driver continued north on Hwy 101, still refusing to pull his vehicle over. The driver lost control of his vehicle near Hwy 101 and SW Lee ST and side-swiped a motorist who had stopped on the highway near the location. The driver of the stopped vehicle suffered minor injuries related to the crash. The driver then ran into the curb near Hwy 101 and SW Angle ST where he was originally observed driving carelessly. Officers took the driver into custody without further incident.
The driver was identified as Adam HILLYARD of Otis, OR. The Officer noticed an odor of alcohol type beverage as he spoke to HILLYARD. HILLYARD consented to field sobriety test and failed. HILLYARD gave a breath sample that resulted in a blood alcohol level of .10%. HILLYARD also admitted to smoking marijuana ‘dabs’ earlier in the afternoon.
HILLYARD was arrested for Eluding a Police Officer, Reckless driving, Reckless Endangering, Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver (Felony) Criminal Mischief II, and Assault 3. He was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail.
The Newport Police Department wants to thank the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office and the Oregon State Police for their assistance.
If you have any information regarding this case, contact Officer Mangum of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.
