Oregon man sentenced for leading deputies on a high-speed car chase in Colfax

COLFAX — An Oregon man will be going to prison for leading Whitman County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a high speed car chase in Colfax last month.

Ronald Griffin, 42, pleaded guilty to attempted eluding and two drug possession charges in Whitman County Superior Court Friday morning. Whitman County Judge Gary Libey sentenced Griffin to a year and a day in prison, along with 8 months community custody. He was also ordered to receive drug treatment while in prison.

Griffin was arrested in the early morning hours of July 19 when he failed to pull over for law enforcement on Main Street in Colfax. Court documents say deputies tried contacting him, but he drove away onto Stevens and Mill streets at speeds up to 80 mph.

While pursuing, law enforcement noted in court documents Griffin had turned around and tried to ram the patrol car.

Deputies had followed Griffin until he lost control of the vehicle and drove through a yard on Harrison Street. Court documents say he hit a utility box and crashed into a power pole, causing thousands of dollars in damages.

After initiating a search warrant of Griffin’s vehicle, court documents say deputies found cocaine and methamphetamine in his possession.

Law enforcement said in court documents Griffin was compliant during the arrest. He told police he did not want to pull over because he was driving with a suspended license.