Pursuit ends in eight-vehicle crash, one seriously injured in Fishersville
· Yahoo NewsFISHERSVILLE – A pursuit involving an Augusta County Sheriff's Office deputy and a suspect Monday ended in an eight-vehicle crash in Fishersville, the sheriff's office reported.
According to a press release, at about 5 p.m. a deputy spotted a blue Acura that reportedly failed to yield the right-of-way at the intersection of Ramsey Road and Tinkling Spring Road. When the deputy attempted to make a traffic stop, the sheriff's office said the driver allegedly sped away at a high-rate of speed, north on Tinkling Spring Road and then onto Jefferson Highway.
"During the pursuit, the deputy made contact with the suspect vehicle in an attempt to pin it against the curb. However, the suspect continued driving recklessly, disregarding stop lights and weaving in and out of oncoming traffic," the release said.
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The pursuit ended at the intersection of Long Meadow Road and Jefferson Highway, where the Acura reportedly rear-ended another car, causing an eight-vehicle crash, the sheriff's office said. Multiple people were taken to Augusta Health in Fishersville for treatment, with one person sustaining serious injuries.
Justin R. Harvey, 36, of Stuarts Draft, was arrested at the scene. The sheriff's office said Harvey had active warrants issued by the Waynesboro Circuit Court for malicious wounding, maliciously shooting at a vehicle, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and being a violent felon in possession of a weapon. Court records show the Waynesboro grand jury indicted Harvey in September.
The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police are investigating the incident.
“Pursuits are inherently dangerous to our community, the deputies, and the suspect," Augusta County Sheriff Donald Smith said in the release. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those injured, and we will ensure justice is served."
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Harvey was treated for minor injuries at Augusta Health. The sheriff's office said additional charges are pending.
Augusta County Fire & Rescue, Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad, Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad, and Waynesboro First Aid Crew also responded to the scene.
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Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter).
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Pursuit ends in crash, one seriously injured in Fishersville