SALEM, Ore. -- Police said a man left his two sons – ages 5 and 7 – in a car as he fled from officers and was arrested early Thursday morning.

Oregon State Police Sgt. Derek Bischoff tried to pull over a 1990 Honda Accord he saw driving 90 mph at about 1 a.m. on Interstate 5 near Salem, Lt. Gregg Hastings said.

Bischoff caught up to the car as it took exit 258 and the car began to try to elude Bischoff and Salem police and Marion County deputies who joined the pursuit that reached speeds of 60 mph on city streets for about eight miles.

The Honda finally stopped in front of a home in the 2100 block of Nando Street and the driver ran from the car and tried to escape from officers, Hastings said. Fernando Lua Maldonado, 33, fought with officers but was arrested as he tried to climb over a fence.

View Photos Of Maldonado And His Car

Inside the car, officers found Maldonado's two sons who told them their father had said to jump out of the car and run inside the house as soon as he stopped but the children stayed in the car when their father ran, Hastings said.

The children were released to their mother who was waiting inside the home.

Maldonado was arrested on charges of felony attempt to elude in a vehicle, reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest and misdemeanor attempt to elude on foot.