News Release from: Washington Co. Sheriff's Office
DEPUTY CAPTURES SUSPECT WHO CRASHED INTO CARS DURING PURSUIT
Posted: December 8th, 2012 9:35 PM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/1128/60006/PR_121207_Pursuit_Crash_Hwy_26.pdf
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/1128/60006/Victim_car_Hwy_26.jpg
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/1128/60006/Victim_car_110-Canyon_looking_west.jpg
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/1128/60006/Victim_car_110-Canyon_looking_east.jpg
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/1128/60006/Suspect_Vehicle_on_Freeway.jpg
Summary of Event
Today deputies arrested a man with a long criminal history after he led them on a pursuit in a stolen vehicle and caused two crashes in the Beaverton area.
Full Details
On Saturday, December 08, 2012, at about 2:30 p.m., a Washington County Sheriff's deputy attempted to stop a vehicle at SW Canyon Road and SW Walker Road In the West Slope area. The vehicle was driven by 29-year-old Leonel Zamora Jr., the deputy had been at Mr. Zamora's residence earlier in his shift and knew his license was criminally suspended.
Mr. Zamora fled from the deputy and traveled west on SW Canyon Rd. At SW Canyon Rd. and SW 110th Avenue Mr. Zamora hit another vehicle driven by 42-year-old Dena Whitney of Portland. Mrs. Whitney had her six-month-old son in the car, she suffered minor injures, but was not transported to the hospital. Her son was not injured.
Mr. Zamora failed to stop after he crashed into Mrs. Whitney and continued west on Canyon Rd. until he turned onto north-bound Highway 217. The Sheriff's Deputy, with his lights and sirens on, followed Mr. Zamora as he drove at speeds in excess of 70 MPH on the freeway. Mr. Zamora then took the east bound ramp to Highway 217. As he was merging onto the Highway he took a sudden left turn, drove over a concrete median, and crashed into a car traveling on the freeway. The car was driven by 21-year-old, Michael Rothenfluch of Portland, his wife and four-year-old daughter were also in the vehicle. Their daughter suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance to St. Vincent Hospital.
Mr. Zamora stopped his car, got out, and fled on foot from the scene of the crash. He jumped over the "Jersey barrier" that separates the east and west lanes of Hwy. 26, and ran across the west bound lanes of the highway. The Sheriff's Deputy chased Mr. Zamora across the freeway and caught him on the MAX tacks that run alongside the freeway. The deputy arrested Mr. Zamora who was eventually taken to Tuality Hospital with minor injuries.
During the investigation deputies learned that the pick up truck driven by Mr. Zamora was stolen earlier in the day. They also learned that Mr. Zamra has a long criminal history and is currently on parole for Burglary. He has been booked into the Washington County Jail 23 times in the last ten years.
He was later taken to the Washington County Jail were he was booked on the following charges:
* Assault 4 (x2)
* Felony Hit and Run (x2)
* Criminal Mischief 1 (x2)
* Reckless Driving
* Attempting to Elude a Police Officer
* Unlawful use of a Motor Vehicle
* Parole detainer
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