Man arrested for fleeing after two-vehicle crash

A two-vehicle crash on the interstate led to the arrest of an Oregon man early Tuesday morning.

Ryan J. Munson, 28, from Carlton, Ore., was apprehended nearly five hours after he fled the scene of the crash reported at 8:13 p.m. Monday near milepost 129.

Witnesses at the scene reported that a man in his 20s, later identified as Munson, fled from the scene and headed south into the desert, according to a press statement from the Elmore County Sheriff's Department. Deputies then located an empty knife sheath and an empty pistol case, leading them to believe that Munson was armed.

A K-9 team from Canyon County responded to help with the search but were unable to locate the suspect. Around 1:15 a.m. Tuesday, the county dispatch center received a call stating that a male subject matching Munson's description was standing on the eastbound side of the interstate near milepost 130.

An Idaho State Police trooper that was in the area was able to locate Munson, who again immediately fled on foot. The trooper and Elmore County deputies were able to catch him a short time later and took him into custody without further incident.

A knife was found on the suspect at the time of his arrest. A motive on why he fled the scene of the crash was not immediately known.

An ambulance was called to evaluate Munson for possible injuries sustained in the earlier crash. He was later booked into the Elmore County jail.

The passengers in the other vehicle involved in the crash included two adults and four children. They were all taken to a medical center in Gooding where they were treated and released.