LA GRANDE — Law enforcement arrested a La Grande man following an early morning hit and run.

Isaiah Wood, 22, of La Grande, was taken into custody Tuesday, Nov. 21, for driving under the influence of intoxicants, failure to perform the duties of a driver with property damage, reckless driving and recklessly endangering another person, according to Oregon public records.

Officer Cody Kirby responded to a call shortly before 2:30 a.m. about a hit-and-run that happened on the 1600 block of 26th Street, according to the probable cause declaration.

The reporting party told police he was driving south along 26th Street in his green 1976 Plymouth when he noticed the car behind him was following too closely. He pulled over to let the other driver pass, but they reportedly pulled in behind him and rear ended his car.

The reporting party got out of his car, as did the other driver — later identified as Wood — and his passenger. The three got into a verbal altercation, which included the passenger punching the driver’s side front window of the reporting party’s car. As Wood drove away, he also reportedly side-swiped the car. The reporting party took note of the license plate and told police he believed the car was a silver SUV.

Law enforcement came across a Silver GMC Yukon with the same license plate number provided by the reporting party parked in the Jacksons parking lot, according to the probable cause declaration. Kirby reported that he saw Wood get out of the driver’s seat. He pulled in behind the SUV and initiated contact.

Kirby told Wood that he was investigating a hit and run and asked him if he knew anything about the incident, according to the probable cause declaration. After reading Wood his Miranda Rights, Wood claimed that the reporting party had his car instead, according to the probable cause declaration. He reportedly told Kirby that his girlfriend had been driving when a green colored sedan tried to run them off the road. He said the other car had driven around before slamming on the breaks and reversing into them.

In his report Kirby noted that Wood was slurring his words and had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. Wood allegedly shared with Kirby that he had a “couple of beers,” but would not elaborate. Later he told law enforcement he had around five Twisted Teas.

Wood’s girlfriend showed up at the parking lot in a silver car and spoke with law enforcement, according to the probable cause declaration. She said Wood had been drinking at home, but had left to buy cigarettes. She also shared with police that she had not been with Wood during any part of the hit-and-run incident.

Kirby took Wood in custody and lodged him in Union County Jail. He is represented by court-appointed counsel — La Grande attorney Rick Dall. Wood is due in court Dec. 12 for a plea hearing.