Driver Rams Patrol Car, Injures Deputy While Attempting to Flee

December 2, 2022

On November 28, 2022, at 11:30 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies got information that 25-year-old Anthony Kiontae Czerniejewski was in an apartment in the 2400 block of SW Ecole Ave., within the Enhanced Sheriff’s Patrol District (ESPD). Deputies knew Czerniejewski had a felony warrant for his arrest.  

When deputies arrived, no one inside the apartment would come to the door. Deputies left but learned later that Czerniejewski had been inside and fled on foot. They returned, set up containment in the area, and began to search for him.

During the search, 22-year-old Michelle Perez-Barrera left the apartment in a 2006 Jeep Commander and began circling the neighborhood. Deputies saw the Jeep stop briefly and watched as Czerniejewski dove into the back seat.    

One of the deputies tried to block Perez-Barrera's path using a patrol vehicle. Instead of stopping, Perez-Barrera rammed her Jeep into the deputy’s vehicle, hitting the driver’s door. Czerniejewski got out of the car and ran from the scene. Deputies arrested Perez-Barrera, who was transported to the Washington County Jail on the following charges:  

•  Hindering prosecution (felony)  
• Assault on a public safety officer (felony)  
• Recklessly endangering (two counts)  

Additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.   

The impact from the collision caused minor injuries to the deputy who was taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure. The following morning, the deputy was released from the hospital and has since returned to duty. 

Deputies were unable to locate Czerniejewski, who has an outstanding felony warrant for failure to appear on assault in the fourth degree (domestic violence). Deputies ask anyone with information on Czerniejewski’s location to contact non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111. 

The Enhanced Sheriff's Patrol District (ESPD) provides law enforcement services for more than 214,000 residents in the urban areas outside of cities in Washington County, including Bethany, Cedar Mill, Cedar Hills, Aloha, Reedville, Garden Home, Metzger, Rock Creek, Raleigh Hills, Bull Mountain, Bonny Slope, West Slope, Oak Hills, and more. Voters first approved the ESPD in 1987 and all local option levies since then.