Eugene, OR. — A Eugene Police officer arrested a 27-year-old driver Tuesday afternoon after observing dangerous driving behavior that nearly endangered a pedestrian and led to a brief pursuit.
At about 3:29 p.m. on March 24, a Housing Support officer was stopped at a traffic light near West 7th Avenue and Garfield Street when a Toyota Camry ahead accelerated abruptly, skidding its tires before stopping short of the intersection. As the light turned green, a pedestrian entered the crosswalk and the driver again accelerated, spinning the vehicle’s rear tires on wet pavement before continuing eastbound.
According to police, the vehicle continued driving erratically, drifting within its lane and nearly striking a stopped truck. The officer initiated a traffic stop, but the driver accelerated again, prompting the officer to activate a siren and pursue.
The vehicle eventually stopped near West 5th Avenue and Polk Street. Officers took the driver, identified as Francisco Cristobal Manuel, 27, into custody after he failed to comply with commands and repeatedly moved his hands into his lap, raising safety concerns.
A 49-year-old male passenger, who told officers he had been picked up at a service station on Highway 99, was also detained during the stop.
Following an investigation, Manuel was arrested on charges of eluding by vehicle, driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, and reckless endangering. His vehicle was impounded.
The case is being investigated under Eugene Police case number 26-04350.
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