Newport Police Department On March 29, 2025 at approximately 0030 hours, a Newport Police Officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Matthew Pearson, 18 of Newport, after observing Pearson driving above the posted speed limit and using unlawful lighting in his green 1996 Toyota Tacoma. Pearson, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, accelerated away from the officer and turned off his lights, attempting to elude the police officer. The Newport Police Department, with the assistance of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, pursued Pearson from Newport south on Hwy 101 to Beaver Creek Road. During the pursuit, Pearson made dangerous passes, ran multiple stop signs, drove at speeds in excess of 100mph, drove into oncoming traffic, and even drove up on the sidewalk to drive around a stopped vehicle. During the pursuit, Pearson drove with his vehicle lights off and was using an external light bar to navigate. Pearson drove up North Beaver Creek Road towards t...