LA GRANDE — Oregon State Police arrested a Hermiston man after a failed traffic stop led to a high-speed chase on Interstate 84, which ended just across county lines.

Elijah Benjamin Meza, 21, was taken into custody on Monday, May 24, on charges of felony fleeing, reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person and failure to perform the duties of a driver with property damage, according to Oregon public records.

Umatilla Tribal Police requested assistance from state police while pursuing a black BMW on the interstate, the probable cause declaration stated. The driver — later identified as Meza — eluded police during a traffic stop in Pendleton and then fled eastbound on I-84. Law enforcement pursued Meza and found him near milepost 218.

Tribal police reported that Meza reached estimated speeds of 140 mph while actively forcing other drivers off onto the shoulders of the interstate and passing on the shoulders.

At one point during the pursuit, Meza exited the interstate and wound up on a dead end road, according to police reports. He then reportedly drove through a fence in order to get back onto I-84 where he continued to drive recklessly.

Trooper Justus Gray found Meza near milepost 247 just before Exit 248, according to the probable cause declaration. He reported that Meza was driving “erratically” and attempting to pass other cars when there was no space to do so, which forced another vehicle to run over the spike strips OSP had set up.

OSP reported that Meza took Exit 248 before turning right and heading toward the Forest Service road. Another trooper forced him to stop by “making physical contact” with his patrol car.

Meza was taken into custody and lodged in Union County Jail. A passenger was released from the scene.

Gray obtained a search warrant for the BMW, according to the second probable cause declaration. While searching the car, police found a brown 9mm Glock pistol in the trunk. The pistol was loaded with a 17-round magazine — plus one round loaded into the chamber.

Union County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Powers has set bail at $5,000, according to court records. Meza is due in court on June 25 for a plea hearing.