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Medford chase leads to multiple charges By SARAH LEMON A Medford man was charged with attempted assault for allegedly using his vehicle to ram a pickup truck in a high-speed chase through Medford late Thursday. Michael Wade Adams, 26, of the 800 block of Adams Lane, was arrested by Medford police and charged with two counts of attempted third-degree assault, driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving and second-degree criminal mischief. He was lodged in the Jackson County Jail on $19,000 bail. He was released Friday after appearing on the charges in Jackson County Circuit Court. In his 1986 black Mercury Cougar, Adams allegedly chased two men in a white Ford pickup and rammed the back of the truck, reportedly while driving 65 mph on Springbrook Road near Lone Pine Road around 10:45 p.m. The vehicles drove to McAndrews Road and onto Biddle Road, where the driver of the pickup honked his horn at a Medford police officer who had stopped another vehicle. The pickup then reportedly ran a red light with the Cougar following close behind. Police chased both vehicles down Fourth Street and onto Riverside Avenue. The pickup pulled over on Riverside, but Adams' vehicle sped off, possibly reaching speeds of 80 mph, officers said. After driving through the parking lot of the Rogue Valley Mall, Adams was stopped at the intersection of Riverside and Ohio Street with the assistance of Jackson County sheriff's deputies. "This is pretty egregious - his actions," said Medford police Lt. Mike Moran. "He's using his vehicle as a weapon." Adams told police that he thought the men in the pickup he chased were a pair he'd argued with for hitting on his girlfriend. Police did not know where Adams had been prior to the chase, he added. Police determined Adams caused some minor damage to the rear end of the Ford pickup, Moran said. The driver of the pickup - who told police he was trying to reach the police station - was not given any citations for violating traffic regulations. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.