The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported on May 5 that Air 5 assisted deputies in the arrest of a driver who attempted to elude law enforcement during a high-speed pursuit on Sunset Highway early Saturday, May 2.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the incident began at about 12:20 a.m. when a deputy tried to stop a vehicle for speeding near Murray Blvd. The driver turned off the car’s lights and fled westbound at high speed, taking the Highway 6 exit toward the coast. The Air 5 flight crew, monitoring from Hillsboro Airport, launched to provide aerial support.
Air 5 located the suspect vehicle as it reversed direction and sped eastbound back toward Sunset Highway with its lights still off. Deputies said Air 5 tracked the car until it crashed near NW Mountaindale Road in Banks. The driver then ran from the scene and hid in a nearby yard.
With guidance from Air 5, deputies and K9 Blitz found and arrested Abayomi Vidal-Avalos, age 25 of Cornelius, hiding under a truck parked in a driveway. Vidal-Avalos was booked into jail for attempting to elude police, reckless driving, driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII), and probation violations.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office serves more than 600,000 residents across Washington County as part of county government operations. It focuses on community safety through education programs and public support initiatives while maintaining regional headquarters and jail facilities according to the official website.
Officials encourage anyone with information related to this incident who has not yet spoken with deputies to contact non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 referencing case number 50-26-6004.
