Charges pending in chase on I-77
At 11:25 a.m. Sunday (May 26), a Virginia State Police Trooper attempted to stop a Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling south on Interstate 77 in Bland County near the 52 mile marker. Speeding was the reason for the attempted traffic stop, as the Jeep was traveling 89 mph in a posted 70 mph zone. When the Jeep refused to stop for the trooper, a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit continued south on I-77 during which time the Jeep rammed a Virginia State Police vehicle. The pursuit came to end in the southbound lanes of I-77 near the 29 mile marker when the Jeep rear-ended another Virginia State Police vehicle. The driver of the suspect vehicle was taken into custody without further incident.
As a precautionary measure, the adult male suspect was transported to a nearby hospital. One trooper was also transported to a nearby hospital hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Charges are pending.