EDITORS NOTE: This story was sent to us by Gordon, a follower of local law enforcement stories. The Herald rarely runs crime stories, but we reach out to you anytime our thousands of readers can help. This man was arrested at the INTEL parking garage at RONLER ACRES. Watch this Video!
Over the past several days, law enforcement officers from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Hillsboro Police Department have witnessed and received complaints about a motorcycle driving recklessly on Hwy 26 westbound during the early morning hours. At times, law enforcement spotted a motorcycle traveling more than 124 mph. Due to the excessive speeds and concerns for the public, law enforcement officers did not initiate a pursuit of the motorcycle when they witnessed it traveling at excessive speeds.
This morning, Sheriff’s Office deputies, Washington County Sheriff’s Office’s Air Support Unit, and Hillsboro Police Department officers focused their attention on Hwy 26 in an attempt to stop the motorcyclist from continuing to drive recklessly.
At 5:24 a.m., a deputy from the Air Support Unit witnessed a black motorcycle traveling on Hwy 26 westbound, weaving in and out of traffic, lane splitting, and going over 100 mph. The Air Support Unit followed the motorcycle while it continued to travel at a high rate of speed. At one point, an officer from Hillsboro Police Department witnessed the motorcycle traveling approximately 115 mph on Hwy 26 westbound near NE Cornelius Pass Road.
The Sheriff’s Office’s Air Support Unit continued to observe the motorcycle driving recklessly as it took the NE Brookwood Parkway Exit and then began traveling southbound. The motorcycle pulled into a parking garage near NE Dawsons Creek Drive and NE Shute Road.
Deputies contacted the motorcycle’s driver, 23-year-old Alex Gerkin of Vancouver, as he was getting off the motorcycle and arrested him for reckless driving. After contacting Gerkin, deputies observed signs of impairment and conducted a DUII investigation. Gerkin was lodged in the Washington County Jail for reckless driving and driving under the influence of intoxicants.
Deputies are asking community members to contact the Sheriff’s Office if they witnessed and captured video of a motorcyclist driving recklessly on Hwy 26 westbound in the early morning hours during the past few days. Community members can call 503 629-0111 to speak with a deputy about what they witnessed.
Deputies on the Air Support Unit are assigned as pilots or Tactical Flight Officers (TFOs), providing air support services for various public safety agencies. The unit primarily supports patrol and investigative teams with surveillance, aerial photography, incident response, suspect apprehension and command support.
