WASHINGTON – A 54-year-old D.C. man has been arrested and charged with attempting to kill a police officer after a car chase and fiery crash in Prince William County.
Virginia State Police say Steven C. Murray was driving south on Interstate 95 near mile marker 156 at about 12:50 a.m. Tuesday when his black sedan ran off the side of the road and repeatedly hit a Jersey wall, then continued moving down the road’s right shoulder.
A state trooper unsuccessfully tried to stop Murray, who stayed behind the wheel until his car ran into a ditch at a vehicle weigh station and rest area at the 154 mile marker. The car caught fire, and police say Murray aimed a handgun at troopers who responded to help him.
Police say Murray eventually ended up putting down the weapon and surrendering without further incident. He has been charged with attempted capital murder of a police officer, driving under the influence of drugs, illegal possession of Oxycontin, hit-and-run, reckless driving, attempting to elude a police officer, possession of stolen property and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Murray additionally was charged with being a fugitive from justice because he had an outstanding arrest warrant in Charles County, Md. He was taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and is being held at the Prince William County Detention Center.
Follow WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)