Man charged after trooper hit during traffic checkpoint on I-85 in Petersburg

Petersburg, Va. (WRIC) — A man is facing multiple charges, including a felony hit and run, after a Virginia State Police trooper was hit during a traffic checkpoint on Interstate 85 on Black Friday.

8News previously reported that the crash occurred in Dinwiddie County, per Virginia State Police. According to a release on Sunday, Nov. 30, officials clarified that the incident happened in Petersburg.

At 3:16 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28, a Virginia State Police trooper was conducting a checking detail on the ramp from Squirrel Level Road to I-85 North when a white Ford SUV with expired temporary tags attempted not to go through the detail.

Police said the trooper put his hand on the SUV's door handle and told the driver he had to continue through. The SUV then reversed, struck the trooper's left side and backed into a guardrail.

The driver then returned to Squirrel Level Road and continued toward Halifax Road in the city of Petersburg.

Officials said because of the positioning of the troopers on the ramp, they did not initiate a pursuit. The trooper was not injured.

At 8:04 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30, Virginia State Police announced that an arrest had been made in connection with this incident.

Petersburg and Suffolk resident Robert Raines is facing the following charges:

• Eluding
• Felony hit and run
• Hit and run
• Obstruction of justice
• Operating a vehicle on a revoked license

The 38-year-old man is being held without bond pending a scheduled arraignment on Monday, Dec. 1, authorities said.