Deputies Chase Car While the Occupants Use Drugs

Authorities are looking for a driver who was seen using drugs in his car, leading deputies on a chase, which ended in a crash.

Shortly after 10:30pm Monday (Aug. 3), a Linn County deputy located a car that was reportedly being driven around Mt. Vernon while the occupants were using drugs.

The car was located, in the area of Highway 1 and Business Highway 30. When the officer attempted to pull the car over, a chase began.

The pursuit continued on side streets to the north side of Mt. Vernon, where the driver lost control, crashing through a garage, striking a parked vehicle, then two other unoccupied vehicles as it exited into a neighbor's driveway.

When the car stopped, the driver fled on foot.

A passenger, 34 year old Andrea Barfels, was found at the scene. She was taken to an area hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The driver, whose name has not been released, has yet to be located. The incident remains under investigation.