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An incident Sunday morning on northbound Interstate 205 tied up traffic for about an hour and a half after a man fell or was tossed from a car.

(The Oregonian/OregonLive/file photo)

Updated at 2:50 p.m.: Adds details about what police say was a kidnap hoax.

Hands bound behind his back, a bag over his head, John R. McPhail tumbled from the car, slamming onto Interstate 205.

The silver Neon from which he had just been separated stopped, and two men in it came to help him. But the presence of eyewitnesses apparently gave them pause, and they hustled back to the car and took off.

John R. McPhail

Numerous 911 callers reported what they had seen, and Oregon State Police troopers soon arrived. Officers spoke to McPhail, who through the blood and scrapes on his face told them about being kidnapped in Camas, his hometown.

His story led officers to believe there could be more victims, and other police agencies scrambled into action.

But then, McPhail's day got even worse. Police, growing suspicious about inconsistencies in his story, arrested the 57-year-old. And now he faces charges of initiating a false report and first-degree conspiracy to commit theft.

The Oregon State Police on Monday revealed details of the incident and investigation, and said they are seeking two men suspected to be the other car occupants in the incident Sunday morning on northbound I-205 near Johnson Creek Boulevard. Justin M. Gibson, 36, and Joseph L. Gibson, 33, both of Camas, are considered witnesses to the incident, say police, who ask anyone with information to call 503-375-3555.

Late Monday, the Camas Police Department said it became involved in the investigation Sunday and served a search warrant at McPhail's home. A news release from the department said McPhail eventually confessed that the kidnapping was a hoax in an effort to get ransom money from his mother.

The plan, Camas police said, failed, as no money was obtained from the woman.

The men were last seen driving a 2000 silver Plymouth or Dodge Neon with a Washington plate of AYW4837.

Police say eyewitnesses had called 911 to lodge a complaint about a driver in the area before others called shortly after to report McPhail's tumble (police have not determined how fast the car was traveling at the time). Some witnesses at the scene even tried but failed to flatten one of the Neon's tire before it bolted from the scene.

McPhail suffered minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to OHSU Hospital, where he was treated and released.

OSP released no further details Monday.

-- Andre Meunier

503-221-8488