On March 2, 2023 at about 11:00 p.m., a Newport Police Officer observed a Subaru Legacy driving carelessly at a high rate of speed near Hwy 101 and SW Angle Street. The Officer activated his vehicle’s overhead lights to stop the car. The driver, later identified as 19-year old Adam Hillyard of Otis, failed to yield to the Officer and instead sped up, continuing south on Hwy 101. Near Hwy 101 and SW 68th Street, he then turned around and headed back north on Hwy 101 at high rates of speed.
Newport Officers were able to deploy “spike strips” on the roadway which the Hillyard drove over. He then continued north on Hwy 101, still refusing to pull his car over and he lost control of his car near Hwy 101 and SW Lee Street and side-swiped a motorist who had stopped on the highway near the location. The driver of the stopped car suffered minor injuries related to the crash. Hillyard then ran into the curb near Hwy 101 and SW Angle Street, where he was originally observed driving carelessly. Officers took him into custody without further incident.
Upon contact with Hillyard the Officer noticed an odor of alcohol as he spoke to him. Hillyard consented to field sobriety tests and failed. He provided a breath sample that resulted in a blood alcohol level of .10. He also reportedly admitted to smoking marijuana ‘dabs’ earlier in the afternoon. Hillyard was arrested for DUII, Eluding a Police Officer, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering, Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver (Felony) Criminal Mischief II, and Assault 3. He was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail.
The Newport Police Department wants to thank the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police for their assistance. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Officer Mangum of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.
