News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office

Sheriff's Office involved in vehicle pursuit in Mt. Hood National Forest; spike strips, bean-bag shotgun deployed; driver arrested

Posted: July 29, 2011, 10:24 p.m.

Photo: National_Forest_Pursuit.JPG

Please reference Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Case #11-22761

On Friday evening (July 29, 2011), Tarrie Lyn Gibson, age 36, reportedly attempted to elude Clackamas County Sheriff's Office deputies in a brown 1998 Dodge Durango on Mt. Hood National Forest roads east of Estacada, Oregon.

At approximately 5:44 p.m., a Sheriff's Office deputy contacted Tarrie Lyn Gibson in a campground on USFS Road 63 near USFS Road 70, in the area of Bagby Hot Springs.

Mrs. Gibson, driving her 1998 Dodge Durango, reportedly failed to obey the deputy's order to stop her vehicle, which was displaying expired registration stickers.

Mrs. Gibson drove away from the deputy, who then pursued her vehicle.

Mrs. Gibson drove westbound toward Estacada at one point -- reportedly reaching speeds of 90 miles per hour. The pursuing deputy was joined by other Sheriff's Office deputies and two USFS Law Enforcement Officers.

The pursuing deputy coordinated the deployment of spike strips by another deputy coming eastbound from the City of Estacada.

At 6:05 p.m., spike strips were successfully deployed on Hwy. 224 near milepost 36 -- disabling both right-side vehicle tires.

The vehicle was forced to stop on Hwy. 224 at milepost 35, approximately 12 miles east of Estacada.

The passenger in the vehicle, Dennis James Stephens, age 35, followed directions given by deputies and surrendered without incident.

Mrs. Gibson, the only remaining occupant of the vehicle, barricaded herself inside the Durango by locking its doors and refusing to obey commands to exit the vehicle.

During the negotiations that followed, Mrs. Gibson made statements to deputies that she wished to die, and demanded to be shot and killed.

Negotiations continued until 6:23 p.m., when Mrs. Gibson obeyed commands to exit the vehicle.

Shortly afterward and without warning, Mrs. Gibson reportedly disobeyed police commands and moved to return inside her vehicle. A Clackamas County deputy fired three rounds from a less-lethal bean-bag shotgun, striking Mrs. Gibson.

The deployment of the bean-bag shotgun rounds prevented Mrs. Gibson from returning to her vehicle. This allowed deputies to safely close distance and arrest Mrs. Gibson without further incident.

Highway 224 was re-opened. The Durango was impounded. Mr. Stephens was cited for Possession of Less than One Ounce of Marijuana and released from the scene.

Mrs. Gibson was arrested and charged with Attempting to Elude a Peace Officer, Reckless Driving, and Reckless Endangering. She also had a misdemeanor warrant for Failing to Appear on a previous DUII charge. As a result of Mrs. Gibson's actions and additional crimes this evening Clackamas County Community Corrections authorized a detainer for Mrs. Gibson as a violation of her probation.

Mrs. Gibson was transported to Willamette Falls Hospital, per CCSO policy, to be checked by medical personnel before being transported and lodged at the Clackamas County Jail.

Please reference Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Case #11-22761.

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Contact Info:
James Rhodes, Sergeant
Office of Public Information
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office