GRESHAM MAN FACING CHARGES AFTER MISUSING LIGHTING AND SIREN EQUIPMENT DRIVING THROUGH POST-HILLSBORO AIRSHOW TRAFFIC (PHOTO)
Posted: August 20th, 2011 10:45 AM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2011-08/1002/46995/081911.Benz.pickup.JPG
Oregon State Police (OSP) arrested a Gresham-area man Friday night on several charges as he used a vehicle equipped with a full roof light bar, strobe lighting and siren to move through post-Hillsboro Air Show traffic and was nearly involved in a crash with at least two vehicles when he drove through a red stop light at an intersection. OSP is seeking additional witnesses to this incident.
On August 19, 2011 at approximately 10:40 p.m., an OSP trooper was conducting a traffic stop on Cornelius Pass Road just north of Cornell Road. Traffic was heavy as the Hillsboro International Air Show had ended for the evening and traffic was departing. The trooper heard a loud audible siren and saw a blue 1999 Ford Ranger pickup equipped with a full roof light bar of amber and white strobes activated moving through the post-air show traffic. The pickup drove northbound through a red light at the intersection of Cornelius Pass Road and Cornell Road where at least two vehicles swerved to avoid a collision with the pickup.
The trooper disengaged from the traffic stop, overtook and stopped the Ford Ranger pickup contacting the driver identified as TIMOTHY J. BENZ, age 30, from southwest Gresham. BENZ said he works for a private flagging and traffic safety company and was enroute to traffic crashes on Portland-area bridges.
Subsequent investigation confirmed the crashes BENZ said he was going to had not occurred and he was arrested for Reckless Driving and Recklessly Endangering Another Person (2 counts). He was also lodged in the Washington County Jail for Probation Violation after OSP advised his probation officer of the circumstances related to the arrest.
Anyone with information to help in the investigation is asked to call Senior Trooper Mark McDougal at (503) 647-7631 ext. 443.
Photograph Source: Oregon State Police
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