On March 9th, 2017 at about 1559 hours, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Nick Vaille was involved in a brief traffic pursuit in the City of Yachats. Deputy Vaille located a 1997 Dodge van parked on W 2nd Street occupied by two subjects he identified as Joseph Cullison and Monica Sterken. Deputy Vaille was aware at that time that Joseph Cullison had an outstanding warrant for his arrest issued out of the Lincoln County Circuit Court, Newport, Or.
In the course of attempting to get Mr. Cullison to exit the vehicle Deputy Vaille observed Monica Sterken move from the back of the van to the driver’s seat at which point she started the vehicle and accelerated West bound on W 2nd Street. Deputy Vaille returned to his marked Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle, pursuing the Dodge van after activating his emergency red and blue lights along with the audible siren.
Deputy Vaille observed the Dodge van driven by Monica Sterken turn North on Pontiac Street then East on W 3rd Street. The vehicle operated by Sterken turned South onto Highway 101 after which an unsuccessful attempt to turn West onto the Yachats Ocean Road resulted in Sterken failing to negotiate the turn, leaving the paved roadway into an area of brush and small trees where the vehicle came to a stop.
Monica Sterken was medically evaluated and subsequently released at the scene by members of the Yachats Rural Fire Department & South Lincoln Ambulance. Deputy Vaille placed Monica Sterken and Joseph Cullison in custody, see applicable charges below.
Monica Nicole Renee Sterken (24 YOA) was issued a citation in lieu of custody into the Lincoln County Circuit Court on the charges of: Eluding Police Officer (811,540), Recklessly Endangering (163.195), and Reckless Driving (811.140). (See Attached Photo)
Joseph Raymond Cullison (26 YOA) was lodged in the Lincoln County Jail regarding two confirmed warrants issued for his arrest by the Lincoln County Circuit Court on the charges of Probation Violation and Failure to Appear.
