PENDLETON – Police arrested a Sunnyside, Wash., man after a freeway chase involving a stolen dump truck that ended with the ramming of an Oregon State Police patrol car.

Oregon State Police said the incident began about 6:50 a.m. Friday, Sept. 26, when a man stole a 1951 Chevrolet two-ton flatbed dump truck from a business located along Interstate 84, about five miles west of Pendleton.

The vehicle’s owner followed the stolen truck west on the freeway until it crossed the median and headed east toward Pendleton. Witnesses said the truck nearly crashed into four other vehicles but their drivers werer able to avoid a collision.

OSP Trooper Rick Madsen caught up with the stolen vehicle near milepost 206 and attempted to stop it, but the driver kept going, driving at slow speeds. Pendleton police deployed stop sticks near milepost 207, and one truck tire drove over the devices, but the truck continued about two more miles, turned off onto the eastbound ramp at exit 209 and ran a red light before stopping.

Police said the driver attempted to elude officers, fleeing on foot. Madsen and Pendleton Officer Gomez exited their patrol cars and were giving the driver verbal commands when he put the stolen vehicle into reverse and rammed the OSP patrol car.

Robert Lee Minor, 54, was taken into custody on charges of first-degree attempted assault, attempt to elude in a vehicle and on foot, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, hit and run, resisting arrest, reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person and assaulting a public safety officer.

He was taken to the Umatilla County Jail.

Madsen and Gomez both received minor injuries during the struggle. They were treated and released at the hospital.