Tulsa Police Arrest 2 After High-Speed Chase; Officer Survives Close Call

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- Two people are in the Tulsa County jail, one man's in a Tulsa hospital and a Tulsa police officer is fortunate to be alive following a high-speed police chase late Wednesday. 

The incident began when Tulsa Police tried to stop a stolen car near I-44 and U.S. Highway 169 at about 10:30 p.m. 

The SUV sped off, heading south on 169. 

Police officers began a pursuit and could see items being thrown from the SUV. 

The chase continued west on the Creek Turnpike until officers stopped the SUV using tire deflators near U.S. Highway 75.

They arrested Christopher Campbell, 32, and Toni Etheridge, 33. 

Officers then began to backtrack from where they stopped the SUV to find what the couple had thrown out of the SUV. 

They say they found drugs and stolen checks. 

During the search, Officer Rusty Brown had to jump out of the way to avoid being run down by another vehicle.

Brown had parked his patrol car next to the center wall in the 7400 block of southbound U.S. Highway 169 with all his emergency lights on.  He was out of the car retrieving evidence when he saw a small SUV that did not appear to be slowing or changing lanes approaching his car.

Officer Brown jumped over the center divider of the highway, landing on another officer's patrol car, as the SUV crashed into his patrol unit from behind. Both vehicles are likely a total loss.

Officer Brown was not injured, but the driver of the SUV was taken to a Tulsa hospital, where he was treated and released.

Christopher Lee Campbell was arrested on complaints with possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of controlled drugs, eluding and four counts of knowingly concealing stolen property – all after former conviction of a felony.

Toni Marie Etheridge was booked on complaints of conspiracy to destroy evidence, knowingly concealing stolen property and escape from detention. She is also a convicted felon.