Several people have been hospitalized following a police pursuit that turned into a three-vehicle crash on Richmond Highway in Belle Haven, police say.
Virginia State Police (VSP) troopers were called at 11:19 p.m. yesterday (Monday) to assist Alexandria Police with a Hyundai Elantra that had been reported stolen in Prince George’s County, Maryland, according to a news release.
When the driver of the Hyundai didn’t stop, Alexandria Police began a pursuit on Van Dorn Street. With state police joining at Van Dorn and Vine Street, the chase continued onto Telegraph Road and Route 236 (Duke Street) before reaching Richmond Highway (Route 1).
“During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle rammed a Virginia State Police vehicle,” the VSP said. “Following this, the trooper crashed into a power pole, bringing wires down onto the street.”
The trooper crash occurred on Route 1 at Quander Road, according to public safety watcher Dave Statter, who shared traffic camera video of the pursuit.
Watch: This is the high-speed chase by @VSPPIO of a stolen car through parts of Alexandria and Fairfax County that ended in a crash with about a half dozen people hurt, some critically. An @AlexandriaVAPD officer and a trooper began chasing the Hyundai Elantra near Duke & S. Van… pic.twitter.com/1I7zHXsp81
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) November 26, 2024
After allegedly running a red light at Route 1 and Fort Hunt Road, the Hyundai driver struck a Chevy Silverado Electric pickup truck and a Toyota Corolla, police say. The Hyundai came to a stop and “burst into flames.”
According to state police, one of the Hyundai occupants was transported by helicopter to Inova Fairfax Hospital, while three others were taken by ambulance to other hospitals in the area with “serious injuries,” a VSP spokesperson said.
In an update at 8:10 p.m., the state police reported that all four occupants of the Hyundai are juveniles. The driver and two passengers remain in critical condition, while the third passenger’s condition is stable.
The Silverado driver was taken to the hospital with injuries described as minor. No injuries were reported to the people in the Corolla.
“The trooper involved in the crash with the power pole, after helping provide first aid, went to the hospital to be checked out for minor injuries,” the VSP said. “The trooper has since been released.”
The VSP says a gun that had been reported as stolen was found on the Hyundai’s driver.
“The investigation remains ongoing,” but is expected to result in charges, the VSP said.
