Over-100 mph pursuit ends in crash in Petersburg, state trooper’s windshield smashed
VENN
PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) -- A high-speed chase ended when the suspect crashed a stolen car into a Pepsi cargo truck in Petersburg, seriously hurting a passenger and sending debris flying into the pursuing state trooper's windshield.
On Wednesday, June 18, a trooper with Virginia State Police was on Route 460 in Sussex County when they noticed the driver of a 2006 Honda Element going 78 mph in a 55 mph speed zone.
When the trooper tried to pull the Honda over, its driver -- identified as 36-year-old Andre Demon Wilkins of Petersburg -- refused to stop, according to state police.
The pursuit, which reportedly reached speeds of over 100 mph, continued down Route 460 and into Petersburg. It ended in the intersection of Winfield and South Crater roads when Wilkins hit a road sign, then a Pepsi cargo truck, per state police.
A pursuit beginning in Sussex County ended with a crash in Petersburg on June 18. (Photo: Virginia State Police)
A pursuit beginning in Sussex County ended with a crash in Petersburg on June 18. (Photo: Virginia State Police)
Wilkins reportedly attempted to run from the scene, but he was caught and taken into custody.
He and his backseat passenger, Iashia Marie Carrington of Henrico County, were not hurt in the crash.
However, his front-seat passenger -- Kala Nicole Lavender of Sussex -- was seriously hurt. She was taken to an area hospital for treatment.
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Additionally, debris from the crash flew at and hit the pursuing trooper's vehicle. Pictures provided by Virginia State Police show an undercover patrol car with its windshield smashed in. The trooper was unhurt.
A pursuit beginning in Sussex County ended with a crash in Petersburg on June 18. (Photo: Virginia State Police)
A pursuit beginning in Sussex County ended with a crash in Petersburg on June 18. (Photo: Virginia State Police)
Virginia State Police also learned that the Honda had been stolen from Virginia Beach earlier Wednesday morning.
Wilkins was hit with 12 charges in connection with this incident, including:
- Felony eluding
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Possession of Schedule I/II controlled substances
- Possession of stolen property
- Obstruction of justice
- Driving with a revoked license
- Driving without insurance
- Failure to drive right of the center of the highway
- Following too closely
- Failure to wear a seatbelt
- Insufficient tire tread
In addition to Wilkins' new charges, he was wanted for various other crimes at the time of the crash -- as were his two passengers.
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Wilkins had active warrants for multiple probation violations, grand larceny, the sale of stolen property and failure to appear, according to state police.
Carrington's active warrant involved the revocation of her bond in a conspiracy to commit robbery case, while Lavender's was for misdemeanor contempt due to failure to appear on a felony identity theft charge.
