Alleged hit-and-run huffer stopped by concerned citizen, law enforcement

Booking photos -- suspect Shanon Marie Harlan: [ 1 ] [ 2 ]

Arrest scene photos: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ]

Case numbers referenced:

Tualatin PD Case # 15-3409 (hit and run)
West Linn PD Case #15-1622
CCSO Case # 15-33185

Booking photo: Shanon Marie Harlan Local law-enforcement agencies and a concerned citizen worked together yesterday to stop an alleged hit-and-run DUII driver -- a driver who had to be hospitalized for "huffing."

At about 10:47 a.m. on Dec. 15, 2015, Oregon City Police had been dispatched to an address in Oregon City to check on a driver who'd allegedly just been involved in a hit-and-run crash in Tualatin. The suspect vehicle in the hit-and-run -- a silver Dodge Durango -- was registered to the Oregon City address.

The suspect driver had reportedly just hit another occupied vehicle in front of the 7-Eleven on Nyberg Rd. and 65th in Tualatin. According to a witness, the victim driver got out of the car and attempted to stop the suspect driver -- but the suspect drove around the victim and continued down the road.

Meanwhile, a citizen driver who had witnessed the crash continued to follow the suspect Durango deeper into Clackamas County along rural roads in the area.

The concerned citizen driver called 911 -- telling dispatchers the suspect driver was driving erratically and seemed to be having difficulty maintaining consciousness.

As a Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Traffic Team deputy was en route to try to intercept the suspect driver, a West Linn Police officer was able to locate the driver as she was driving onto Interstate 205 at Stafford Road.

After an attempted stop and short pursuit, the West Linn Police officer finally forced the suspect off the road and blocked the Durango -- after which the suspect driver was arrested.

Thanks to the quick actions of the WLPD officer, the driver was likely prevented from doing far more damage at highway speeds.

The Sheriff's Office, WLPD and Tualatin Police conducted a follow-up investigation. The driver was taken to the hospital after it was learned that she had been "huffing" Office Depot-brand compressed air, which contains difluoroethane (DFE).

The suspect driver is identified as Shanon Marie Harlan, 37, of Oregon City. This is her third arrest for DUI this year, and her second involving inhalants. Earlier booking photos of Harlan are attached. She was cited and remained in care of the medical facility. Ms. Harlan is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday, Dec. 18 in Clackamas County for one of those prior DUIIs.

Photos from the arrest scene are attached.

SHERIFF'S OFFICE INCREASING IMPAIRED-DRIVING PATROLS THROUGH YEAR'S END

This holiday season (through Jan. 1), the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is conducting additional patrols focused on detecting and arresting impaired drivers.

The Sheriff's Office wants to remind drivers of the danger of impaired driving. If you decide to drink alcohol and/or consume marijuana, please plan ahead and arrange for alternate transportation. Lawful and unlawful prescription drug impairment and inhalant impairment are of grave concern as well. The state's Drug Evaluation and Classification program has more than 180 police officers and deputy sheriffs trained to evaluate drivers suspected of being impaired by substances other than alcohol.

Our goal is to help ensure the roadways are safe for everyone and to prevent senseless tragedies.

The Sheriff's Office wishes everyone a safe and sober holiday season.

Here's a 2012 video PSA in which the region's sheriffs call for "Zero Fatalities" during holiday weekends.

[END]

News-release archive

Contact Info:
Sergeant Nathan Thompson
Office of Public Information
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office

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