Oregon State Police received information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding a wanted subject at approximately noon, Monday, December 6th.
Information provided indicated that the subject, identified as 48 year old Murray Maurice Edwards, was traveling south on Interstate 5 near Wolf Creek in a 1999 GMC Suburban with California plates, and had an active warrant from Pierce County, Washington for homicide.
A vehicle matching the description was located by Oregon State Police at the southbound Manzanita Rest Area and with the assistance of the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, contact with the vehicle was attempted at the rest area by Troopers and Deputies.
However, when approached, the suspect fled south on Interstate 5 at a high rate of speed. A Trooper attempted to deploy spike strips to disable the vehicle, but the suspect saw the spike strips thrown and swerved aggressively to avoid them.
The speed and evasive maneuver caused him to lose control of the vehicle and crash into the concrete center divider, where Edwards was taken into custody without further incident.
Edwards was evaluated at the scene by American Medical Response before being transported to Three Rivers Community Hospital. Following evaluation, he was interviewed by FBI agents and later lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the outstanding warrant. Local charges will be forwarded to the Josephine County District Attorney for consideration.
