Wythe County, Virginia – The Wythe County Sheriff’s Office launched a pursuit after a white Dodge refused to pull over on Monday, August 25, causing safety concerns.
According to officers, a white Dodge Hellcat was driving on Interstate 81 without headlights when they attempted to pull over.
According to officials, the driver refused to pull over and began accelerating at high speeds north on Interstate 77.
The driver entered the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel at high speeds while workers were present, endangering public safety, according to officials.
Virginia State Police assisted in the incident, and the pursuit continued into Bland County. According to police, the car collided with a guardrail near the 64-mile marker.
The two men inside the vehicle fled on foot until they were apprehended.
According to authorities, the vehicle was stolen in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The driver, Jiaair James Henry of Lower Sandusky, Ohio, is a fugitive from Texas charged with Assault – Suffocation.
Henry was charged with the following:
- Driving Suspended
- Operating a Motor Vehicle with Expired Registration
- Altering a License Plate
- Obscuring a License Plate
- Operating a Vehicle on a Highway with No Headlights
- Operating a Vehicle with No Taillights
- Reckless Driving
- Felony Eluding Police
- Possession of a Stolen Vehicle
- Possession of Schedule I or II Drugs
The passenger was identified as Jaylon De’Shawn Gear from Charlotte, North Carolina. He was charged with:
- Misdemeanor Eluding Police
- Possession of a Stolen Vehicle
- Possession of Schedule I or II Drugs
The officer also stated that they discovered suspected oxycodone inside the vehicle.
