A Harrisonburg man is behind bars following a high-speed pursuit involving the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police that ended in a crash on Interstate 81.
Jamie C. Whitesel, 37, was taken into custody on June 15 and is facing a long list of charges, including felony eluding, felony assault on a law enforcement officer, DUI, reckless driving, driving while suspended and revoked, illegal use of a crossover, and unsafe lane change.
According to Virginia State Police, the pursuit began shortly before 5 p.m. after a trooper received information about a potentially stolen van traveling north on U.S. Route 11 in Verona. When the driver refused to pull over, a chase ensued near the intersection of VA Route 612 and U.S. 11.
The suspect entered I-81 southbound, prompting Augusta County deputies to deploy spike strips near the 225 mile-marker. The strips successfully deflated the van’s rear tire, but Whitesel reportedly continued driving and illegally crossed over to the northbound lanes at the 223 mile-marker. Authorities say he nearly hit a tractor-trailer before crashing into another.
The impact caused one of the van’s front tires to deflate, forcing the vehicle to a stop. Whitesel then attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended.
He is currently being held at Middle River Regional Jail in Verona. The case remains under investigation.
