Driver slams into Deschutes County courthouse after driving through downtown at 70 mph

Published 10:42 am Tuesday, April 25, 2023

A  driver crashed into a metal beam in front of the Deschutes County Circuit Court in downtown Bend early Monday morning after driving at speeds that reached 70 mph, police said. 

No one was injured, but the driver was taken to St. Charles Bend for an evaluation.

At 1:46 a.m., a Bend Police officer patrolling near NW Bond Street and NW Franklin Avenue saw a black Dodge Challenger traveling west on Franklin through an intersection without stopping at a flashing red light before then accelerating north on Bond, police said in a release Tuesday. 

The officer attempted to get behind the vehicle to pull it over.  The vehicle was driven by Timothy P. Bates, 30, of Bend, police said. Bates was driving around 70 mph in a 20 mph zone and the officer did not pursue Bates, deciding it to be unsafe, police said. 

Bates then continued along Bond Street through the intersection of NW Greenwood Avenue before hitting something, which caused the vehicle to fly into the air. The vehicle then smashed into a steel beam in front of the county courthouse. 

After the crash, Bates was arrested. He was then taken to the Deschutes County jail on charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, and first-degree criminal mischief, the release said.