A Harrisonburg man is in custody and faces several charges after allegedly engaging in a pursuit with the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police that ended in a crash on Interstate 81.
Jamie C. Whitesel, 37, is charged with felony eluding, felony assault on a law enforcement officer, driving under the influence, reckless driving, driving while suspended or revoked, improper use of a crossover, and an unsafe lane change.
Whitesel is being held at the Middle River Regional Jail in Verona. The incident occurred shortly before 5 p.m. on June 15.
According to Virginia State Police, a state trooper was alerted to a possibly stolen van traveling north on U.S. 11 in Verona. According to the press release, the driver refused to stop, prompting a pursuit near the intersection of Virginia 612 and US 11.
The van entered I-81 southbound, where Augusta County deputies used spike strips to deflate the driver’s side rear tire at the 225-mile mark. The suspect continued driving and reportedly used the crossover at the 223 mile marker, nearly striking a northbound tractor-trailer before colliding with another tractor-trailer, according to the release.
The collision deflated a front tire, bringing the van to a stop. Whitesel attempted to flee on foot before being apprehended, according to police.
The incident is still under investigation.
