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Suspect nearly hit 10 cars during chase
March 27, 2007
An Idaho man chased by authorities Sunday at high speeds nearly hit 10 cars head-on before he was rammed off the road by an Oregon State Police ser-geant, according to investigators. The man was driving a stolen Lake County Sheriff's patrol car.
Ejected from patrol car
Anthoney M. Nickerson, 20, of Nampa was in critical condition Monday at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, suffering numerous injuries after being ejected from the patrol car as it rolled several times, investigators said.
OSP detectives say they are continuing to investigate Sunday's chase and crash and are seeking information from motorists who were nearly struck.
The incident began at about 1 p.m., when a Klamath County Sheriff's deputy stopped a Dodge Durango for speeding as it was eastbound on Highway 140. The deputy discovered the Durango was reported stolen from a Nampa car lot and called other authorities to assist, said OSP Lt. Gregg Hastings.
Authorities placed the three suspects, the driver Randy L. Schmiege, 20, passenger Jennifer Alexander, 22, and Nickerson in separate patrol cars.
In the back of a Lake County Sheriff's patrol car, Nickerson was able to slip his hands in front of his body, climb through a sliding window and drive away in the patrol car while a reserve deputy was assisting other officers, OSP Sgt. Bob Fenner said.
That's when police say Nickerson led them on the 33-mile chase with speeds reaching 90 mph, weaving in and out of lanes and nearly hitting other cars, including another patrol car.
OSP Sgt. Steve Yates responded from Lakeview and placed spike strips on the highway, which deflated one tire on the car driven by Nickerson. Then, Yates got behind the patrol car, and about a half mile west of Lakeview, Yates rammed the rear quarter panel of the car - a maneuver that troopers say they perform during high risk pursuits. In this case, Nickerson was driving recklessly and had custody of a car with firearms inside, Fenner said.
Hitting the back side panel spins the car, usually slowing the engine. But in this case, the impact caused the car to roll several times. Nickerson then was taken to Lake District Hospital and then airlifted to the hospital in Bend.
Yates, who is an eight-year OSP veteran and has been assigned to work in Lakeview since 2004, was not injured.
The two other suspects were booked in the Klamath County Jail on theft, criminal conspiracy and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle charges. Schmiege also was charged with third-degree escape and attempting to elude a police officer on foot because authorities say he ran from them and toward the stolen car after being handcuffed.
Anyone who was almost struck by the patrol car or saw the incident happen should call the OSP Southern Command Center at (541) 776-6111.
- By Laura McVicker
An Idaho man chased by authorities Sunday at high speeds nearly hit 10 cars head-on before he was rammed off the road by an Oregon State Police ser-geant, according to investigators. The man was driving a stolen Lake County Sheriff's patrol car.
Ejected from patrol car
Anthoney M. Nickerson, 20, of Nampa was in critical condition Monday at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, suffering numerous injuries after being ejected from the patrol car as it rolled several times, investigators said.
OSP detectives say they are continuing to investigate Sunday's chase and crash and are seeking information from motorists who were nearly struck.
The incident began at about 1 p.m., when a Klamath County Sheriff's deputy stopped a Dodge Durango for speeding as it was eastbound on Highway 140. The deputy discovered the Durango was reported stolen from a Nampa car lot and called other authorities to assist, said OSP Lt. Gregg Hastings.
Authorities placed the three suspects, the driver Randy L. Schmiege, 20, passenger Jennifer Alexander, 22, and Nickerson in separate patrol cars.
In the back of a Lake County Sheriff's patrol car, Nickerson was able to slip his hands in front of his body, climb through a sliding window and drive away in the patrol car while a reserve deputy was assisting other officers, OSP Sgt. Bob Fenner said.
That's when police say Nickerson led them on the 33-mile chase with speeds reaching 90 mph, weaving in and out of lanes and nearly hitting other cars, including another patrol car.
OSP Sgt. Steve Yates responded from Lakeview and placed spike strips on the highway, which deflated one tire on the car driven by Nickerson. Then, Yates got behind the patrol car, and about a half mile west of Lakeview, Yates rammed the rear quarter panel of the car - a maneuver that troopers say they perform during high risk pursuits. In this case, Nickerson was driving recklessly and had custody of a car with firearms inside, Fenner said.
Hitting the back side panel spins the car, usually slowing the engine. But in this case, the impact caused the car to roll several times. Nickerson then was taken to Lake District Hospital and then airlifted to the hospital in Bend.
Yates, who is an eight-year OSP veteran and has been assigned to work in Lakeview since 2004, was not injured.
The two other suspects were booked in the Klamath County Jail on theft, criminal conspiracy and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle charges. Schmiege also was charged with third-degree escape and attempting to elude a police officer on foot because authorities say he ran from them and toward the stolen car after being handcuffed.
Anyone who was almost struck by the patrol car or saw the incident happen should call the OSP Southern Command Center at (541) 776-6111.
- By Laura McVicker
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leesa wrote on Jan 23, 2009 12:37 PM:
" these things should never happened in this world. the world should be safe. "
samantha r. wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:12 PM:
" this article is So true when your a teen girl and your pregnant It seems to feel like your life is over and there is no way you can fix it but that's not true if your young and your going to have a child then stay focused in school your child wants you to succeed in life so he/she can succeed in life my name is Samantha R. I'm 14 years old i live in Klamath falls and i might be pregnant :] If so I'm determined to make sure my child has a better life then i did :] "
Babe wrote on Jan 23, 2008 6:54 PM:
" I think that chiloquin people do need help and not just the teens but i have also seen places that are alot worse i moved from L.A to chiloquin and ive been back there since and trust me chiloquin is nothing. I also think that crime and drugs etc. are noticed more because it is so small compared to other places and there is no form of disaplin at all "
Tony P. wrote on Jan 19, 2008 7:55 PM:
" I remember the night the plane went down.. My mother crying and my dad in tears.. his dad searched for him for years...
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Jane D. wrote on Apr 10, 2009 12:00 AM:
I Love You Bobby
May your soul Rest In Peace
-Deems "