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MERIDIAN - An Oregon man is behind bars - accused of leading police on a dangerous chase down Interstate 84 near Meridian early Sunday morning.

Meridian Police stopped Eddie Maldonado, 28, just before 3 a.m. on suspicion of drunk driving.

During the stop he ran from police, leading them on a chase over Meridian Road and then across the freeway.

Police stopped Maldonado on Meridian Road and led officers on a foot chase down an embankment and across the highway. He only stopped when police shocked him with a taser.

Instead of complying with officers, police say an intoxicated Maldonado made a different decision.

Eddie Maldonado

"The driver exited the vehicle and then took off running," Meridian Police Sgt. Mark Taylor said. "One of our other patrol sergeants located the suspect as he was running across Meridian Road. He ran across the eastbound and westbound lanes of the interstate before he was stopped.”

Police say they were concerned Maldonado was carrying a weapon after he wouldn't comply with their order to stop running.

"When you get the higher level of alcohol the decision making gets even worse," Taylor said.

With cars rushing by on the side of the freeway police arrested Maldonado took him to jail.

On the way to jail, officers say Maldonado tried to spit on one of the officers – adding a charge of assault on an officer.  He also faces charges for driving under the influence and resisting arrest.