Junction City, Ore. – On Friday, April 7 at approximately 8:11pm the Lane County Sheriff’s Office contacted Junction City dispatch reporting a possible drunk driver near Prairie Road and Meadowview Road.
The driver was operating a large attenuator construction type truck. While Junction City officers were responding to the area, they located the vehicle which stopped at a business in the 800 block of Ivy Street. Officers contacted the female driver, who was the lone occupant of the vehicle. The female advised she had been assaulted and then left the location in the vehicle without providing any additional information.
Officers attempted to catch up to the vehicle as it was traveling north on Highway 99 toward Harrisburg. At one point the vehicle came to a stop in the middle of the roadway and briefly blocked traffic. As the officers continued to follow the vehicle with lights and sirens activated, there was no indication the vehicle had any intention of stopping. The vehicle was unable to stay in its lane of travel and almost collided with another vehicle on the Harrisburg Bridge. The vehicle traveled through a construction zone and eventually stopped at the Dari Mart in Harrisburg.
The driver initially refused to exit the vehicle but after negotiating with the driver, officers were able to safely detain the individual.
During the investigation officers contacted the owner of the truck who was unaware that the vehicle had been stolen. The vehicle had been parked at a business off Coburg Road south of the City of Coburg. Officers responded to the business and made contact with employees to gather additional information about the stolen vehicle. Officers learned that earlier in the evening the truck had driven through the metal security gate when fleeing the scene, causing extensive damage to the gate.
The female was identified as Tara Maffey of Eugene.
Ms. Maffey was arrested on multiple charges including Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and Reckless Driving.
News Release from Junction City Police
Posted on FlashAlert: April 8th, 2023 2:43 AM
