WASHINGTON — A South Carolina man faces multiple charges after leading Virginia State Police on a high-speed chase that exceeded 120 mph and involved a gunfire exchange on Interstate 95.
Jerrell C. Richardson, 21, of Greenville, South Carolina, is being charged with felony counts of eluding police and assault on a police officer. He is also being charged with possession of marijuana, driving without a license, reckless driving and driving without headlights. More charges are pending, Virginia State Police said.
The chase began around 8:40 p.m. Christmas Day. Virginia State Police were told to be on the lookout from Dinwiddie County police for a 2015 Ford Escape, which had been stolen at gunpoint in North Carolina on Christmas Eve. The Ford was spotted by police at a gas station at Chamberlayne and U.S. Route 1.
When police approached, they say the suspect fled in the stolen vehicle. The pursuit continued on I-95 and vehicles reached speeds of over 120 mph. As the chase entered Spotsylvania County, the suspect rammed a state trooper’s car at least twice.
Eventually, the suspect bailed from the vehicle as it was still moving and fled on foot while shooting at police. One trooper shot back, hitting Richardson, but he escaped into the wooded median.
Police shut down I-95 in both directions while they searched for him. The search involved K9s and police choppers.
Around 1 a.m., Richardson was found. He had been shot by the trooper but was arrested without further incident.
Richardson was taken to a hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening and released Tuesday morning. No one else was injured during the incident.
Police found the firearm at the scene and marijuana inside the Ford. Richardson is being held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail in Stafford County.
