Oregon State Police arrested a 41-year-old North Bend man Thursday morning following an on-again-off-again high-speed chase on U.S. Highway 101 that started in Reedsport and ended eight miles south of Yachats after the suspect drove off a cliff and crashed onto the beach. Oregon State Police and Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies closed a portion of U.S. Highway 101 just north of the Ocean Beach day use area Thursday morning while searching for a reckless driver. (Garret Jaros/Lincoln Chronicle) Korry A. Matthews faces charges of felony elude, reckless driving, reckless endangering and other traffic violations, according to Oregon State Police. He was transported to PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center with unspecified injuries. According to state police, a witness reported seeing a black F-150 pickup speeding and driving recklessly north out of Reedsport on Highway 101. Reedsport police initially pursued the truck but were unable to stop it due to safety concerns. State police were first notified at 7:46 a.m. before receiving additional calls that the vehicle was speeding, lane splitting and passing dangerously. A state police spokesman said troopers eventually located the vehicle near Heceta Head lighthouse and initiated a pursuit that ended when for “some unknown reason” when Matthews turned west off the highway into heavy brush near milepost 172 just north of the Ocean Beach day use area and ultimately drove off a cliff and crashed onto the beach. Troopers found the Matthews hiding in thick brush and took him into custody at 9:58 a.m. Multiple law enforcement agencies including sheriff’s deputies from Lane and Lincoln counties responded to the call as did emergency personnel from Yachats Rural Fire Protection District, Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue, South Lincoln Ambulance and Western Lane Fire & EMS Authority. Unofficial reports from emergency medical responders said Matthews was emotionally disturbed and had threatened to shoot himself with a handgun.

WHEN: Aug 6, 2026 at 07:46 AM
WHERE: Yachats, Oregon
SUSPECT: KORRY ALEXIS MATTHEWS