Dec. 18--HOPEWELL -- A driver's deadly shootout with deputies on Interstate 295 shut down the highway for more than nine hours yesterday.
According to Virginia State Police, around 10:10 a.m. a deputy with the Hopewell Sheriff's Office stopped a vehicle for reckless driving on I-295 South at the 11 mile marker in Hopewell. As the deputy approached the vehicle though, the driver took off and a short pursuit ensued.
The driver eventually stopped the vehicle in the right lane of the interstate about two miles south of mile marker 9, exited his vehicle and confronted the deputies. Witnesses told authorities that the suspect shot at the two deputies who attempted to stop him. The deputies returned fire, striking the suspect.
One of the deputies suffered minor injuries during the confrontation. He was evaluated by emergency medical technicians at the scene.
The suspect suffered fatal injuries during the confrontation and was flown to Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond where he died of his injuries.
State Police have not released the name of the suspect pending notification of next of kin.
The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Richmond Field Office, Police Shooting Investigation Team was on the scene Saturday to begin the investigation at the request of the Hopewell Sheriff's Office.
Following the incident, all lanes of Interstate 295 South were closed to allow for the investigation. Traffic was detoured onto Route 36, Exit 9. The interstate was reopened around 7:30 p.m.
- F.M. Wiggins may be reached at 804-732-3456, ext. 3254 or [email protected].
Copyright 2011 - The Progress-Index, Petersburg, Va.
