A high-speed pursuit that unfolded yesterday morning involving a stolen semi-tractor ended with the arrest of a man after a dramatic chase that disrupted traffic for hours. According to the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, the chase began when the owner of a red, 2022 International cab over semi, affiliated with Knight Transportation, called 911 around 9 a.m. to report the vehicle tracked in Southeast Portland.
Approximately 30 minutes after the initial report, the owner updated the authorities that the vehicle was located near NE Marine Drive and Interlachen Lane in Fairview. Deputies found the semi parked at Blue Lake Park. Upon attempting to box-in the semi, the driver rammed into a patrol car, causing it to collide with another. "One deputy was injured during the collision," the Sheriff's office confirmed. The driver then fled the scene, leading deputies on a chase.
Authorities employed spike strips along NE 223rd Avenue and NE Sandy Blvd., in an attempt to slow down the stolen vehicle. Despite the semi's front tires disintegrating and several rear tires coming apart, the suspect continued to lead deputies across the Glenn Jackson Memorial Bridge at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour. The chase finally ended on I-205 northbound, just north of NE Burton Road, where the semi slowed to a halt.
The standoff led to a complete shutdown of I-205 in both directions, causing major traffic disruptions between Mill Plain Blvd. and State Route 500. At around 11:30 a.m., Jesus "Jessie" Meza-Sanchez, the 39-year-old driver from Portland, eventually surrendered along with an unnamed female passenger. Meza-Sanchez faces multiple charges including assault and unauthorized use of an automobile. The interstate was reopened by noon, after nearly an hours-long closure. "We appreciate the public’s patience during the freeway closure," said a sheriff's office spokesperson.
Meza-Sanchez has since been booked into the Clark County Jail, awaiting extradition to Multnomah County. The injured deputy was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, while there have been no reports of other injuries or damage to civilian vehicles as a result of the pursuit.
