On October 31″ at 1:37pm Morrow County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) responded to a report of two dark colored pick-up trucks, trespassing on a farm in the lone area. The vehicles left the farm and the reporting party advised the Sheriff’s Office which direction they were headed. Sheriff’s deputies encountered the vehicles just North of Heppner on Highway 74. The vehicles proceeded South on Highway 74, through the “Mill Zone” area at 106 mph. The deputies slowed their pursuit as they approached town for safety, also hoping that the suspects would slow through town. The suspect vehicles sped through Heppner’s Main Street and continued South on Highway 207. The Sheriff’s Office picked up the pursuit and the suspect vehicles then split and went different directions.
Vehicle one, driven by a male, turned off on gravel Shobe Creek Road. The pursuit continued for approximately 10 miles at high speeds to Upper Rhea Creek Road. There he lost control on a curve, drove off the hillside, crashed at the bottom and became disabled in a field. The suspect was taken into custody without incident. He was checked out by medical personnel, and refused further treatment.
Buddy James Buoy, 42 from Portland was arrested and will be lodged in the Umatilla County Jail on charges of Attempt to Elude I (vehicle), Criminal Mischief I, Criminal Mischief II, Criminal Trespass I, Reckless Driving and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Bail for these charges are set at $60,000. Further charges are possibly pending.
Vehicle two, driven by a female, at 20-25 mph, continued a slow speed pursuit South on Highway 207, weaving back and forth, not allowing the deputies past. The suspect then drove off the highway, through a fence opening and attempted to drive down a steep canyon hillside and rolled the vehicle, sustaining significant damage to the vehicle and serious injuries to herself. The female driver was trapped inside the vehicle. The fire department arrived on scene 9 minutes later and extricated her. She was transported by ambulance to Pioneer Memorial Hospital, then transported by Life-Flight.
The female driver of vehicle two, has numerous charges pending.
The suspects and the trucks, are believed to have been involved in a theft of several vehicles that occurred very early this morning from a car dealership in Pasco, WA. Some of the vehicles from that incident were recovered in Boardman, Oregon earlier this morning. Please contact Chief Stakoe of Boardman Police Department for further information regarding that portion of the incident.
Six Morrow County Sheriff’s Office vehicles were involved in the incident. Heppner Rural Fire Department and Morrow County EMS responded to the scene.
As this is an ongoing and developing incident, further information will be released by MCSO as it is verified.