State Police arrests N.C. woman for theft of vehicle
Shortly before 5 p.m. on Dec. 13, 2018, the Virginia State Police was requested to assist the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office with a traffic pursuit of a stolen Jeep Cherokee that had refused to stop for its deputy on Interstate 81.
The pursuit left Wythe County and proceeded south on I-77 into Carroll County to the 18.5 mile marker. At that location, the suspect vehicle lost control, ran off the right side of the interstate onto the emergency shoulder and struck a Virginia State Police patrol vehicle. The impact of the crash caused the patrol vehicle to overturn against the guard rail. The suspect vehicle came to a stop at that location and the driver was taken into custody without further incident.
Virginia State Police has charged the driver of the Jeep, Sarah Faye Waddell, 29, of Salisbury, N.C., with a felony count of grand larceny of a vehicle, possession of a concealed weapon, possession of marijuana, one felony count of eluding police, and one felony count of destruction of property (for damage to the patrol car), Additional charges are pending further investigation. The Wythe County Sheriff’s Offices also placed charges against Waddell.
The Jeep had three adult passengers, none of whom sustained injuries. Waddell was not injured in the incident.
Virginia State Police Sgt. T. S. Todd sustained minor injuries from the crash and was transported to Twin County Regional Hospital in Galax, Va. He has already been treated and released. He was wearing a seat belt.
Virginia State Police was assisted in this investigation by the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office and Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. The Hillsville Fire Department and Carroll County Fire and Rescue responded to the scene to assist with the crash.
Virginia State Police