Driver Arrested on Oregon Coast After Narrowly Missing Construction Crew, Then High-Speed Chase

Published 01/11/26 at 9:35 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Newport, Oregon) – A high-speed chase through tight and winding central Oregon coast roads began Saturday after a man allegedly endangered construction crews by zooming through the work area. (Photo ODOT)

Lincoln County deputies arrested a man Saturday after a high-speed pursuit that began when a vehicle was reported driving recklessly through an active construction zone on Highway 101 near Milepost 106, narrowly missing road workers and striking traffic cones.

According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), a deputy spotted the vehicle at about 8:37 a.m. as it entered Newport at a high rate of speed while traveling in the oncoming lane.

“Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to yield,” the department said. “Assisted by the Newport Police Department and the Oregon State Police, deputies pursued the vehicle south bound through Newport and the community of Seal Rock.”

The driver - who was later identified as Johnathan Grimm - reportedly maintained speeds between 90 and 110 mph during the chase through the small Oregon coast villages. Grimm eventually left the highway near NW Fox Creek and continued attempting to flee until reaching a residence, where he ran from the vehicle. He was quickly taken into custody without further incident. Oregon Coast Highway 101 / Coast Range Traffic

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Lincoln City Police later confirmed that the vehicle involved in the chase was the same one that nearly struck highway workers earlier that morning. Grimm was booked into the Lincoln County Jail on charges of reckless driving, reckless endangering, reckless endangerment of highway workers, and attempting to elude.

There is no word on whether the suspect was local or from out of town.

The Sheriff’s Office thanked all assisting agencies for their role in the arrest.

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