PORTLAND, OREGON — November 6, 2025:
What began as a routine police attempt to stop a reckless driver turned into an extraordinary chain of events last week, when a man fleeing officers in a stolen vehicle crashed directly into another stolen car—driven by a different suspect. Both individuals were arrested after the startling coincidence unfolded in downtown Portland.
High-Speed Pursuit Leads to Unexpected Crash
The incident started when Portland Police officers spotted Randy Lee Cooper driving erratically and weaving through traffic in what was later confirmed to be a stolen vehicle. When officers attempted to pull him over, Cooper accelerated, prompting a brief chase through the downtown area.
The pursuit came to an abrupt end when Cooper collided head-on with another vehicle. What initially appeared to be an unfortunate accident soon revealed an unexpected twist: the second vehicle was also stolen.
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Two Unrelated Crimes Converge
After the impact, officers rushed to check on the second driver, identified as Kristin Nicole Begue. A quick investigation revealed that the car she was operating had been reported stolen weeks earlier. Authorities determined that both suspects had been committing separate, unrelated crimes before their paths collided—quite literally.
Police at the scene described the situation as both dangerous and unusually ironic, noting that it’s rare for two stolen vehicles to be involved in the same crash.
Charges Filed Against Both Drivers
Cooper suffered minor injuries in the collision but was immediately taken into custody. Police confirmed he faces several charges, including:
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Unauthorized use of a vehicle
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Assault
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Reckless driving
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Attempting to elude law enforcement
Begue, who officers determined was under the influence at the time of the crash, was also arrested. She faces charges of:
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Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
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Driving under the influence
Officials noted that the investigation found no indication that Cooper and Begue knew each other prior to the incident.
Police Call the Situation ‘One in a Career’
Portland Police investigators expressed shock over the rare sequence of events. One spokesperson described the moment as “something you might hear about once in an entire career,” emphasizing how unlikely it is for two stolen cars to collide during an active police pursuit.
“The odds of this happening are incredibly low,” the spokesperson added. “It’s the sort of incident that leaves everyone wondering how it all aligned, but the public safety risk was significant.”
Fortunately, no pedestrians or bystanders were injured. The crash caused brief traffic delays as both cars were towed and processed as evidence.
Vehicles Returned to Owners as Theft Rates Rise
Authorities confirmed that both stolen vehicles have since been returned to their rightful owners. The Portland Police Bureau also used the unusual case as a reminder to the public to remain alert, especially as several Oregon counties have experienced a rise in vehicle thefts over the past year.
National Attention on a Remarkable Case
News of the crash quickly spread beyond Oregon, attracting national attention for its bizarre nature. Investigators have referred to the situation as a “perfect storm of bad decisions” that ultimately led both suspects to the same intersection at the same unfortunate moment.
Both Cooper and Begue have been booked into the Multnomah County Jail and await separate court hearings.
For ongoing updates on crime, public safety, and breaking news across the region, stay connected with NapervilleLocal.com for verified reporting and developing coverage.
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