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Mail Tribune Local News Section
February 17, 2007

Trio in stolen vehicle lead police in chase

The frigid Rogue River at road's end stops chase; driver arrested on four charges

An icy dip in the Rogue River cooled the escape plans of three people running from police in Josephine County Thursday night.

At about 8 p.m., Oregon State Police Senior Trooper Tanya Henderson attempted to stop a southbound 1986 Honda sedan for a traffic violation on Interstate 5 near milepost 65 north of Grants Pass, OSP reported.

The Honda initially pulled to the shoulder and stopped, but then sped south and exited at the Merlin exit. The Honda with three people inside attempted to elude troopers and Josephine County sheriff deputies on county roads until it stopped about 20 miles later at the end of Ferry Road.

Two men and a woman ran from the car and jumped into the Rogue River, which had a water temperature of around 40 degrees, police said.

The man and woman who were passengers were quickly pulled from the river, but the car's driver got caught in the river current and was swept into the middle of the river, police said.

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He was screaming for help and a water rescue team from the Rural Metro Fire Department was called.

However, he drifted into an area of the river where the water was chest deep and he was able to reach the opposite bank, where he collapsed and stayed until troopers could get to him, police said.

All three people were taken by American Medical Response ambulance to Three Rivers Community Hospital, where they were treated for hypothermia and released, police said. Troopers determined that the Honda had been stolen in the Grants Pass area and was displaying switched license plates.

Upon his release from the hospital Thursday, the driver, Joseph O'Dell, 21, of Grants Pass, was arrested on charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, felony attempt to elude in a vehicle, and misdemeanor attempt to elude on foot.

O'Dell and his two passengers, who weren't arrested Thursday, could face additional charges, police said. The case will be sent to the Josephine County District Attorney's Office.

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