An 18-year-old Arlington resident has been arrested after allegedly leading police on a wild chase overnight, which ended up with an officer needing medical attention.
Police received a call around 12:40 a.m. on Wednesday saying that the suspect, later identified as Victor Solano, was attempting to drive his Chrysler 300 into the yard of a garden style apartment near the 4600 block of 20th Road N., near the Lee Heights Shops.
In the process of trying to back out of the yard, he reportedly struck two vehicles and then drove away. One of the struck vehicles was occupied and the person inside called 911, according to Arlington County Police Department spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.
Police saw Solano’s vehicle nearby and attempted a traffic stop, but he struck another vehicle and the police cruiser, then fled in his vehicle, according to Sternbeck. A police chase ensued.
Another officer saw Solano’s vehicle during the police pursuit and managed to stop him briefly between a police cruiser, a fence and a power pole near N. 16th Street and N. Culpeper Street. The officer got out of his cruiser and gave verbal commands, but Solano allegedly ignored the commands. Instead, police say Solano accelerated, jumped the curb and ran over the officer’s foot. He then allegedly struck the same police cruiser he had hit earlier and again fled.
Police say Solano eventually wrecked his vehicle around N. 18th Street and N. Cameron Street, then attempted to flee on foot. Two police officers took him into custody, and he was transported to Virginia Hospital Center with minor bumps and bruises.
The officer whose foot was run over was also transported to the hospital for X-rays. He sustained minor injuries but is expected to remain on duty. The officer who was in the cruiser that was hit twice did not sustain injuries.
Solano has been charged with DUI, reckless driving, felony eluding and assault on a police officer.
