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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Umatilla man arrested two weeks after eluding police in high speed chase

A 26-year-old Umatilla man was arrested two weeks after he fled a traffic stop in which a K-9 unit alerted to the odor of narcotics in his vehicle.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kevin Mattingly on Tuesday, September 28, nearly two weeks after he fled a traffic stop in Summerfield.

Umatilla man arrested two weeks after eluding police in high speed chase
Kevin Mattingly

On Wednesday, September 15, Mattingly was pulled over for a traffic stop after rolling past the stop bar at the intersection of U.S. 441 and SE Highway 42.

While the deputy was writing a written warning, another deputy and K-9 unit, “Jet,” inspected the outside of the vehicle. According to the report, Jet alerted on the odor of narcotics emanating from the vehicle.

After the alert, the deputies approached the vehicle and instructed Mattingly and the passenger to exit the vehicle. Mattingly put the vehicle into drive and left the scene, traveling east on SE Highway 42, according to the report.

The deputies pursued Mattingly and during the pursuit, Mattingly reached speeds of over 110 mph in a posted 55 mph zone. The vehicle traveled for approximately seven miles along SE Hwy 42, crossing over the double yellow line multiple times.

Mattingly continued east past SE 182nd Avenue Road at speeds over 115 mph before he turned off his lights. Due to the increasing speeds, traffic, and Mattingly’s driving pattern, deputies disengaged from the pursuit, according to the report.

Mattingly was located this week, arrested, and transported to the Marion County Jail. His bond was set at $10,000 and he was released on Tuesday afternoon. He faces a charge of fleeing and eluding police with disregard to the safety of others.