Details are continuing to come out from the Oct. 18 high-speed chase tied to Oregon freshman wide receiver Messiah Hampton, who was formally charged Thursday in Lane County Circuit Court with felony attempting to elude a police officer and misdemeanor reckless driving.
The court filing lays out an early-morning incident that began around 3:50 a.m. near Centennial Boulevard and West Pioneer Parkway in Springfield. Officer Joseph Burke initiated a traffic stop after seeing a vehicle traveling with three others, all of them speeding. According to the probable cause affidavit, those vehicles were later determined to be headed toward a gathering attended by Oregon football players.
From there, the situation escalated fast. Springfield officers Julio Garcia-Cash and Erik Barker pursued the vehicles on Interstate 105 at what the affidavit describes as a “very high rate of speed,” reaching about 120 mph. One of the vehicles then broke off eastbound on Marcola Road, leaving police to continue after the other two, which “began rapidly accelerating away from the police,” according to the affidavit.
The affidavit says an unlicensed Dodge Durango, later identified as Hampton’s vehicle, appeared to strike the curb while trying to turn west on Yolanda Avenue. Officers eventually lost sight of the Durango, and the chase of the other vehicle was also called off. Police said Hampton’s vehicle was later found parked near a gathering of Oregon football players, but Hampton was not contacted that night.
Investigators said they identified Hampton in video through his clothing, with the affidavit including a detailed description of colors and patterns that matched posts on his social media accounts. Hampton was arrested on Oct. 30 after the Springfield Police investigation.
The filing also notes that police contact that night involved several other Oregon football players, though none have been named as additional suspects. Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart was cited for DUII that same night, and tight end Jamari Johnson received a citation for Class A speeding. Officers said both of those cases were unrelated to the chase, and they have since been resolved, with Stewart entering a diversion program and Johnson pleading no contest and paying a $440 fine.
Hampton appeared in court Thursday for his arraignment and will be represented by Eugene criminal defense attorneys Andrew and Andrea Coit, according to court records. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for Dec. 17.
His status with Oregon remains unsettled. Coach Dan Lanning has not said whether Hampton will face additional punishment after missing two games since his arrest.
The No. 16 Ducks play Michigan at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Autzen Stadium.
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