A short time before 1:30 this morning, an officer responded to the report of a dispute between two vehicles possibly with one of the involving a gun in the Winco parking lot on Barger Drive. The officer was able to talk to the driver of one of the vehicles, but the driver of the other vehicle, a black Suburban, driven by Christopher Ray Beller, age 35 of Eugene, fled the scene after police attempted to stop him. Police became aware Beller had a warrant for arrest.
The pursuit lasted a short distance before another officer came across the black Suburban on Royal Avenue. The officer attempted to forcibly stop the vehicle. This was almost successful, however when the officer’s vehicle died, Beller rammed into it head-on with significant force. The officer received minor injuries.
Beller continued to flee north from Royal Avenue on the bike path that is parallel to Beltline. At that point, Beller bailed out of his vehicle and ran, but was located with the help of a K9 unit and Lane County Sheriff’s Office cover. Beller was charged with: Assault in the Second Degree, Assault on a Public Safety Officer (simple assault), Reckless endangering (simple assault), Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Delivery of Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Hit and Run (injury), Reckless Driving, Eluding by Vehicle, Eluding by Foot.