WASHINGTON — Charges have been filed against the driver who police say led them on a high-speed chase and spurred a hourslong search through Fairfax County, Virginia, Thursday morning.
K’Shawn M. Pearson was charged with reckless driving, speeding to elude and driving on a revoked operator’s license, Fairfax County police said Friday.
Pearson was also charged with possession of a stolen vehicle. Police said the 1996 Toyota Avalon he was driving at the time of the incident was taken from Prince William County.
The charges filed against Pearson stem from a traffic stop gone awry Thursday. At around 6:30 a.m., an officer tried to stop the Toyota Avalon for a traffic violation, but police said the driver sped away, eventually pulling over near Ofaly Road.
Then, the driver and the car’s four passengers got out of the vehicle and ran, police said.
An officer suffered minor injuries after his cruiser crashed while trying to get to the scene of the chase.
Police searched near Popes Head Road and the Fairfax County Parkway for nearly four hours. Pearson was found in the woods near Fairfax County Parkway, where he was arrested.
Meanwhile, under the ruse of having run out of gas, the passengers went to a resident’s house and pleaded for a ride. When they got to the gas station, the resident pressed them about their situation, leading them to flee again, police said.
The man reported the incident to police.
Police said they’ve identified the people who were in the car and said charges were pending against them. Police said they’re investigating whether the group was involved in a string of car break-ins on Wednesday night.
