Local man arrested after pursuit

A Sisters man was taken into custody along Highway 126 after a pursuit involving Redmond police, state police, and Deschutes County sheriff's deputies.

According to the Redmond Police Department, on Tuesday, February 23, at approximately 4:16 p.m., an off-duty Redmond police sergeant was driving a marked patrol vehicle westbound on Highway 126 near mile post 106 when an eastbound full-size Ford van drove across the centerline and nearly collided with the patrol vehicle. The sergeant reportedly had to take evasive action to avoid a crash.

The sergeant turned around and attempted to stop the van. According to police, the van did not stop and continued driving at highway speeds, not exceeding 60 mph. Two Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Deputies were in the same area already, responding to citizen reports that the van driver might be impaired. The DCSO deputies and an Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Trooper joined in the pursuit of the van.

Additional Redmond police officers responded to the area of S.W. Highland Avenue and S.W. 31st Street and blocked traffic on Highland (Highway 126). Spike strips were deployed near the intersection and other officers set up at key intersections on Highland, at S.W. 27th Street and S.W. Rimrock Way, to control traffic.

The van eventually stopped on its own prior to reaching the spike strips, stopping next to several other vehicles, which had stopped while the highway was blocked. According to police, the driver of the vehicle, later identified as Scott Leachman, 64, from Sisters, initially followed commands to exit the vehicle but became non-compliant and verbally challenged officers while standing outside of his vehicle. Officers approached Leachman and put him on the ground and placed him in custody.

Police reported that Leachman was extremely intoxicated and was injured during the arrest. Redmond Fire & Rescue medics responded to the scene at law enforcement's request. Leachman was transported to St. Charles Medical Center - Redmond for treatment.

Leachman was alone in the vehicle during this incident and no one else was injured.

Leachman was later booked into jail on charges of DUII - Felony; Driving While Suspended - Felony; Attempt to Elude a Police Officer - Felony; Reckless Driving; Interfering with a Peace Officer; and Attempted Assault in the Second Degree.

"In this incident, choosing to continue the pursuit was deemed appropriate and justified due to speeds traveled and the amount of traffic on the road, in addition to the belief the driver may be impaired and was driving poorly prior to the start of the pursuit," said Sergeant Curtis Chambers of the Redmond Police Department. "Discontinuing this pursuit would have allowed a suspected impaired driver to continue driving and put everyone at risk. We are very appreciative of everyone's understanding why the highway was blocked and apologize for the inconvenience caused by Leachman's actions."