On Friday afternoon, June 26th, Officers from the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety responded to Josephine County Community Corrections for a report that an Officer had been struck by a vehicle which fled the scene at approximately 3:43pm.
Officers also learned the suspect driver, identified as Michael Williams, had felony warrants for his arrest.
Williams fled from the area in a black BMW, and citizens called 911 to report his erratic and dangerous driving behavior. Williams was last seen traveling at a high rate of speed northbound on Highland Ave toward Merlin.
Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office were able to locate the suspect vehicle and a pursuit ensued. They eventually took Williams into custody on Interstate 5.
The investigation revealed Williams had driven to Community Corrections to pick up Marijha Nieto, the owner of the BMW. Nieto had already been detained by Probation Officers for unrelated drug charges. They then learned Williams was the driver of the vehicle and that he had felony warrants for his arrest. When Probation Officers contacted Williams to take him into custody, Williams fled the scene, striking the Probation Officer with the vehicle and causing injuries.
Williams was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Failure to Leave Name at Scene of an Accident (Felony & Misdemeanor), Attempted Assault 2, Assault of a Public Safety Officer and Escape 3. Additional charges as a result of the pursuit with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office will also be charged.
34 year old Marijha Ann Nieto was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine (Felony), Possession of Controlled Substance – Heroin (Felony) Probation Violation.
The Probation Officer was injured but declined transport by ambulance. He was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center by private vehicle for evaluation.