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@KeizerPolice
Case # 20-02925
On September 8, 2020, at about 11:10 p.m., Keizer Police officers responded to a report of a suspicious person who was reportedly highly intoxicated near River Road North and Parkmeadow Drive Northeast. While driving to that call, one of the responding officers saw a 2010 Toyota Tundra, later determined to be driven by Eric Ratliff, driving south on River Road. The Tundra matched the description given by the caller, but before the officer could take any action, Mr. Ratliff quickly turned his vehicle directly toward the officer, crossing over the center median. The officer was able to maneuver to avoid a head-on collision. A second officer, who was driving behind the first officer, pulled to the far right portion of the roadway to avoid a secondary collision. Mr. Ratliff drove directly toward the second officer as well before rapidly crossing back over the median and back into the southbound lane of travel.
The officers attempted to stop Mr. Ratliff, but he refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued. Mr. Ratliff continued to drive erratically, apparently intentionally driving his vehicle toward other vehicles while quickly swerving back and forth across the travel lanes and the center median. The pursuit continued through neighborhood surface streets before Mr. Ratliff stopped near Manzanita Street and 13th Street. The officers attempted to negotiate with Mr. Ratliff, but he refused to exit his vehicle and sped away. Mr. Ratliff drove at relatively slow speeds, below or near the posted speed limit, and continued to drive erratically during the pursuit.
Moments later, Mr. Ratliff stopped again, in the center of the street, near the 1800 block of Manzanita Street NE. An officer drove around Mr. Ratliff’s vehicle to block him in. Mr. Ratliff drove directly into the patrol vehicle, disabling it, before going a few hundred yards and stopping in a driveway. An officer attempted to arrest Mr. Ratliff, and a K9 was deployed to subdue Mr. Ratliff. Despite being bitten twice by the police dog, Mr. Ratliff continued to move toward the officers, refusing to stop or cooperate. An officer used a Taser to subdue Mr. Ratliff, and he was taken into custody. Mr. Ratliff was transported to Salem Health for treatment and issued citations for the listed charges. The case will be referred to the Marion County District Attorney’s office for disposition.
Arrested: Eric Dawayne Ratliff, 37 years-of-age, of Keizer
Charges: felony attempt to elude, reckless driving, misdemeanor attempt to elude, failure to perform the duties of a driver (hit and run), criminal mischief in the first degree, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and interfering with a peace officer.
Total bail: $50,000