Salem man charged with eluding police, reckless driving near Silverton

A Salem man was charged Monday after leading police on a chase that ended when his car slid off the roadway into a dirt bank outside of Silverton.

At 9:48 a.m., a Silverton police officer saw a suspicious man near a vehicle on Central and Barger streets. The man left the area in the same vehicle. 

The officer tried to stop the driver after observing multiple traffic violations, but the driver didn't yield and continued south on S Water Street. 

The suspect drove into a residential area on Pioneer Drive and accelerated.

The officer did not pursue the suspect noting the number of residents out walking, wet road conditions and the driver's alleged careless driving.

A short time later, the suspect in the vehicle turned around and came back toward the officer at a high rate of speed through the neighborhood.

The officer was able to turn around but lost sight of the suspect. Local residents told police the suspect traveled south on S. Water Street, which turns into Highway 214 out of town.

The suspect's description was sent to other local law enforcement agencies.

At 10:05 a.m., an Oregon State Police trooper spotted the suspect vehicle on Highway 214 near milepost 21, about 18 miles south of Silverton.

The trooper followed the suspect vehicle. Officials said car was traveling "too fast" for the wet road conditions and slid off the roadway into a dirt bank.

The trooper detained the suspect and learned there were outstanding warrants for his arrest. Heroin and methamphetamine were found during a search of the vehicle. 

Silverton Police arrested suspect Michael Lee McArthur, 48, and took him to Marion County Jail. 

McArthur faces charges of possession of heroin and methamphetamine, a probation violation warrant and abscond warrant, attempt to elude, reckless driving and driving while suspended.

Virginia Barreda is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at 503-399-6657 or at vbarreda@statesmanjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.