Incident: Motorcycle Flees Scene of Traffic Stop / Death Investigation

Location: Mohawk Blvd & Olympic St, Springfield Oregon

Case Number: 22-4068

Date/Time: 6-6-22 / 0100hrs

More Information: SPD Public Information Coordinator, spdpio@springfield-or.gov

Completed By: Sergeant Kirkpatrick

ARRESTED: Frank Vincent Nelson 35 year old Male of Sweet Home

CHARGES: Charges Pending

NARRATIVE OF INCIDENT: On June 6th 2022 at 0100hrs a Springfield Patrol Officer attempted to stop a motorcycle which had switched plates near Mohawk Blvd and Olympic St. The bike fled onto Hwy 126 and then Northbound on I5. Speeds reached 120mph. Officers terminated the pursuit near mile post 206 on I5. However, a short time later they observed the motorcycle parked in front of a truck on the shoulder of I5 near milepost 211. As Officers pulled up, the suspect fled again. Officers discovered that the driver of the truck was deceased. The pursuit continued Northbound on I5 to Hwy 228 where the suspect turned Eastbound. Officers lost sight of the motorcycle in the area of Brownsville due to speed. Several agencies began assisting including the Oregon State Police and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. Springfield Officers continued searching for the suspect while the Oregon State Police began a death investigation of the male in the truck. At 0205hrs the pursuing SPD Officer found the suspect on Hwy 228 near Walnut Rd and re-initiated the pursuit. The suspect, Frank Nelson, was taken into custody a short time later after he crashed. Nelson suffered a small scrape on his hand. Officers are currently trying to determine if the two incidents are coincidental.

Additional information will be released when appropriate.