He’ll leave earlier next time

Mon., May 22, 2006

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

TROUTDALE, Ore. – It wasn’t a record for Oregon, but a radar reading of 146 mph last week was arresting enough for officers to search their memories for a faster speeder.

Multnomah County sheriff’s Deputy Robbyn Matsushima said she was clocking speeders along Interstate 84 east of Troutdale on Thursday morning when she saw a black sedan headed her way. It was going so fast that Matsushima worried the car might slam into her as she was parked in the median strip between the freeway’s east- and westbound lanes.

Matsushima said her laser radar recorded the 1998 BMW 540 at 146 mph, more than twice the posted speed of 65 mph. The car pulled to the side as it approached Troutdale.

It was thought to be the fastest speed ever recorded by the county, but it turns out not to be the fastest in Oregon. Lt. Gregg Hastings of the Oregon State Police said officers recalled a speeder doing 159 mph in 1993.

The driver arrested Thursday in Multnomah County was Travis Jay Olsen, 31, of Aloha, who was reported to have told the officer he was late for a meeting.

Olsen was arrested and charged with reckless driving and speeding, and his car was towed to an impound lot. He was released from jail later that day, and stalked past reporters without responding to questions, the Oregonian reported.

The Legislature last year passed a law that requires a 30- to 90-day license suspension and a fine of $1,103 upon conviction.

Oregon State Police cited 464 people as driving 100 mph or faster in 2005. From 2000 to 2004, troopers cited more than 2,600 drivers who were exceeding 100 mph.

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