I wrote this story while working at WCYB-TV over Christmas break from school. We had received multiple reports of overnight pursuits from several law enforcement agencies. As I continued reporting and gathering information, the story became more complex. Originally, it was believed there were two pursuits; there ended up being four. At one point, it looked like there was a fifth one. I was calling several people at the Virginia State Police with only an hour or two left until the newscast. This was the lead story on News 5 at 6 that day. Although I wrote and reported this story, the version that aired on WCYB was tracked by another reporter. This is a retracked version with my voice.
Seven people are in jail after four separate police pursuits in our region. The pursuits resulted in a various charges. In one incident, it was attempted murder of a police officer.
Glade Spring Police Chief Ricky Stumbo was on a normal patrol last night when he began pursuing a potential stolen car. His pursuit lasted nearly an hour, reaching speeds of more than 100 miles per hour.
"She was driving through yards of houses so we were in between two or three houses, four-wheeling,” Stumbo said. “I don't know what she was thinking."
The chase ended up on Interstate 81, where spike strips were used to stop the car near exit 14. The driver, Lakin Garrett, was arrested on multiple charges including abduction of her passenger who reportedly tried to get her to stop.
A passenger in an unrelated police pursuit in Bristol, Virginia has been accused of attempting to pull a gun on an officer.
"The potential was disastrous here in what could have happened,” Detective Steven Crawford said.
The two minute low-speed pursuit ended with officers breaking the car window to force the driver out. Paul Whitt and Chelsey Dodd were arrested on drug charges. Passenger Zachary Smith has been charged with attempted capital murder of a police officer and possession of a fire arm after a felony conviction.
On Old Jonesboro Road in Washington County, Virginia, in yet another incident police said marijuana and meth were thrown out of a vehicle.
Kevin Reece and Melinda Foster were arrested after that chase.
A fourth pursuit in Johnson City involved what police say was an apparent carjacking. It began just after 3 a.m. when police attempted to pull the car over.
The suspect pushed the driver out of the car and evaded police. The pursuit continued into Unicoi County where the car crashed. The suspect was taken to the Johnson City Medical Center for surgery. Charges are pending.
Officers say it's a bad idea to run from police.
"It's foolish to think you can eventually get away,” Crawford said. “If they don't catch you then, you will be caught."
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