A Portland man who fled a traffic stop after allegedly driving close to 120 mph on Interstate 84 will avoid prison after pleading guilty to several criminal charges tied to the December incident.
Steven Roll, 49, entered guilty pleas Monday in Multnomah County court to felony fleeing and eluding, felony identity theft and misdemeanor criminal mischief. He received 18 months of probation on each of those convictions, with the terms running at the same time.
Roll also received an additional 60 months of probation in a separate case involving methamphetamine possession. His driving privileges will be suspended for one year.
The sentence brings a court case that began with a chaotic nighttime traffic stop to a different kind of conclusion: instead of serving a lengthy prison term, Roll will remain under court supervision while participating in treatment and other conditions imposed as part of his probation.
The Stop
The incident began late on Dec. 11, 2025, when TriMet Transit Police observed vehicles traveling at extreme speeds on Interstate 84. According to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, one vehicle was traveling above 100 mph while another was estimated to be moving at nearly 120 mph.
Officers stopped the second vehicle after it exited toward Portland’s Lloyd District. Roll initially stopped near Northeast 13th Avenue and Holladay Street.
Police said officers became concerned about his behavior during the stop. A tire-deflation device was placed as a precaution before Roll was asked to leave the vehicle.
Instead, he drove away.
Crash In Lloyd
The tire-deflation device worked as designed, releasing air from the vehicle’s tire as Roll left the stop. Police did not pursue him but alerted other officers and dispatchers.
Roll turned onto Northeast 13th Avenue and then west onto Northeast Multnomah Street. Moments later, the vehicle crashed near the well-known Lloyd District clock.
The collision damaged the center median, the clock structure and nearby planter boxes before the vehicle struck a parked, unoccupied car. The Sheriff’s Office said Roll was believed to be traveling well above the posted speed limit when the first impact occurred.
No police officers or members of the public were reported injured in the crash. Roll attempted to run from the scene but was quickly taken into custody. He was transported to a hospital with injuries that were described as non-life-threatening.
Multiple Charges
The original case was considerably broader than the charges that ultimately resulted in convictions.
Roll initially faced allegations including reckless driving, attempting to elude officers by vehicle and on foot, reckless endangerment, DUII, forgery, escape, interfering with a peace officer, failure to perform the duties of a driver and methamphetamine possession. Police also listed possession of a forgery instrument among the allegations.
The state later agreed to dismiss nine of the 13 charges as part of Roll’s plea agreement.
Among the dismissed allegations were forgery, escape, dangerous driving and failure to perform driver duties.
Identity Theft
One of the felony convictions involved identity theft. Investigators found two identification documents in the vehicle that carried different names, adding another layer to a case that already involved the high-speed flight and crash.
Roll’s criminal history also played a role in the proceedings. His record dates back to 1998 and includes previous forgery and identity theft offenses, along with arrests involving narcotics.
Despite that history, the court ultimately emphasized his current efforts toward treatment.
Judge Notes Progress
During Monday’s hearing, Judge Katharine von Ter Stegge told Roll that she believed he was in a better place than when she had previously encountered him in court.
The judge also praised his participation in a treatment program, suggesting that rehabilitation had become an important consideration in the final sentence.
Roll could have faced substantially more severe consequences. Each of the felony convictions carried a potential maximum sentence of five years, while the misdemeanor carried a possible additional sentence of up to 364 days.
Instead, the court imposed probation.
DUII Case Pending
The DUII allegation has not been resolved in the same manner as the other charges. Roll’s DUII case was deferred until Friday, when he is expected to seek entry into a diversion program.
The original arrest occurred after officers reported circumstances that raised concerns about intoxication. The presence of a lit marijuana pipe in the passenger area was also noted during the traffic stop.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office emphasized after the arrest that the incident demonstrated the dangers created by extreme speeding and reckless driving in an urban environment.
Restitution Ordered
As part of the sentence, Roll was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution to the driver whose vehicle was struck.
The damaged parked car was unoccupied at the time of the collision, helping prevent what could have been a far more serious outcome.
Roll’s case now shifts from prosecution to supervision. His probation terms, driver’s-license suspension, treatment requirements and restitution obligations will determine what happens next.
For Portland authorities, the December crash remains a striking example of how quickly a traffic stop can escalate. What began with an officer observing extreme speed on I-84 ended with a disabled vehicle, damage to a recognizable Lloyd District landmark and multiple criminal convictions.
Roll’s probation sentence gives him an opportunity to address the issues identified by the court without entering prison, but the lengthy supervision period means the consequences of the incident will continue well beyond the original night of the crash.
