Culpeper man arrested for felony DUI

Used by permission by the Culpeper Police Department

A Culpeper man is facing multiple felony charges after an alleged hit-and-run crash and DUI investigation Wednesday night.

Culpeper Police (CPD) say 45-year-old Shanon Fondal was reported driving erratically on Madison Road before running a stop sign, where his SUV collided with a pickup truck.

Investigators say the SUV then crossed a grassy field and crashed into a tree.

Fondal was found unresponsive and flown for treatment of serious injuries.

He’s charged with felony DUI, third or subsequent offense within 10 years, felony hit-and-run, driving without a valid license, and failing to obey a stop sign.

Police also say Fondal is wanted in Texas on DUI-related charges.

Anyone with information or original video of the incident is asked to contact the CPD at 540-727-3430, email tips@culpeperva.gov.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

FCSO deputy injured by impaired driver Thursday

Sheriff Lenny Millholland reports, Deputy Scarlett Evans, an Animal Control Officer with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO), was performing duties on North Frederick Pike near Shawnee Springs Market when her vehicle was struck.

Investigators say the driver failed to slow down, move over, or apply the brakes before crashing into Deputy Evans’ vehicle.

Deputy Evans was transported to Winchester Medical Center with multiple injuries. She has since been treated and released from the hospital.

The driver, identified as Kenneth N. McClellan of Cumberland, Maryland, has been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) and reckless driving. He was also taken to Winchester Medical Center for treatment before being released on a summons.

Sheriff Millholland said the crash could have easily claimed the life of a deputy.

He stressed that violations of Virginia’s Move Over Law will continue to be aggressively enforced.

Virginia’s Move Over Law requires drivers to move over to another lane when approaching stopped emergency, law enforcement, tow, or service vehicles displaying flashing lights. If changing lanes is unsafe or impossible, drivers must slow down and proceed with caution.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Public Safety and Sobriety campaign begins at SNP

Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive sign picture taken by employee of WZRV/WFTR used by permission

The National Park Service began an extended public safety and sobriety campaign on June 1st which will continue through November 15th for Shenandoah National Park.

Throughout the campaign, periodic checkpoints will be conducted with the primary focus of the stops looking for signs of alcohol and drug impairment as well as valid operator licenses and essential safety equipment.

The checkpoints will utilize a neutral, predetermined mathematical formula to select vehicles for screening and ensure a fair and unbiased process for motorists.

The checkpoints will be placed along the 105 mile stretch of Skyline Drive and primary entrance stations including Front Royal.

In the announcement, acting chief ranger Eric Yount said, “Our goal is to create a safe environment for everyone using Skyline Drive… We want visitors to enjoy the overlooks and trails, but we have a zero-tolerance policy for driving while impaired in national parks.”

To view the full release, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

VA launches enhanced holiday DUI enforcement campaign

Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced enhanced holiday DUI enforcement across Virginia as part of the state’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

The governor is urging Virginians to plan ahead for a safe ride home if holiday celebrations include alcohol.

From December 10, 2025 – January 1, 2026, police departments across the Commonwealth.

Officers will conduct increased saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints during the period.

State officials note that drunk driving remains a serious concern.

Last year, 318 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in Virginia, an 8.5 percent increase from the previous year.

Along with increased enforcement, the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign includes an expanded media effort.

This year’s message is titled “What’s the Damage,” highlights the real costs of a DUI.

It will appear on television, social media, and in locations where alcohol is sold.

Since the campaign began in 2002, Virginia has seen progress in reducing impaired driving.

Over the past five years, alcohol-related crashes statewide have decreased by four percent, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

The campaign is supported by a DMV grant and administered by the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, a Virginia-based nonprofit focused on traffic safety.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Summer is almost over but DUI’s last forever

Front Royal Police Department seal used by permission

The Front Royal Police Department is reminding citizens that this Labor Day weekend everyone should be taking a pledge of responsibility.

If you plan to drink, plan your way home.

Otherwise, you may risk it all.

Summer may be almost over, but DUI’s last forever.

Be responsible and do not drink and drive!

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

NASCAR’s Ross Chastain promotes safe driving in VA

NASCAR driver and former Sports Dogs Podcast special guest Ross Chastain returned to Virginia this weekend for the annual night race at Richmond Raceway on Saturday.

During his trip, he teamed up with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and DRIVE SMART Virginia to promote lifesaving driving habits on and off the track as part of the Who’s Your Driver? campaign.

At the high-energy fan event, Chastain encouraged the crowd to always keep on their seatbelt and to never drive under the influence.

Fans also had the opportunity to chat with the driver, take a look at his stock car, and learn more about the safety equipment used in NASCAR.

Chastain said to the crowd, “When people get behind the wheel, they should remember — the real victory lap is making it home.”

In Virginia, one-in-three fatal crashes involve alcohol and contributed to 4,000 injuries and 318 deaths in 2024 alone.

For more information on the Who’s Your Driver?, click here.

To listen to Ross Chastain’s latest Sports Dogs appearance, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

RCSO arrest suspect driving under the influence

On February 09, a Rappahannock County deputy conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle traveling 73/55 mph zone.

When the deputy approached the vehicle, she saw the driver attempting to crawl into the back seat.

The deputy ordered the driver out of the vehicle.

The deputy detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the driver and noticed him to have bloodshot glassy eyes.

The driver admitted to consuming 5-6 beers and admitted that he had climbed into the back seat to avoid going to jail.

The accused performed 3 field sobriety test which all showed signs of impairment.

The suspect was subsequently arrested for DUI and committed to RSW Jail.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Drunk driver reaches 130 mph in Fauquier County chase

Fauquier Co. Sheriff's Logo used by permission by Fauquier County Deputy Jeffery Long

The Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of a Bealeton man early Sunday morning after a high speed chase from northeast of Warrenton into Prince William County.

At approximately 2:45 am, a Deputy parked near Electric Avenue and Lee Highway observed a dark BMW sedan travelling north at a high rate of speed.

The deputy attempted to catch up to the vehicle with lights and sirens activated, but even at speeds of approximately 100 mph, they could not catch up to the BMW.

Dispatch was contacted as the vehicle reached speeds of over 130 mph and turned off its lights.

After the vehicle reached the intersection of Old Carolina Road in Prince William County, it stopped at Hopewell Landing Drive.

The Deputy gave orders to the driver at gunpoint until a second Deputy arrived to place the drive in custody and handcuffs as well as the passenger.

The driver was identified as Ronald Ramos, 26, and charged with felony eluding, DUI, refusal of a breath test, and operation of a vehicle without headlights.

He is currently being held without bond while his passenger was issued a summons for drunk in public.

Both were held at the Fauquier Adult Detention and the passenger was released when sober.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

RCSO apprehend more than a speeder in a traffic stop

Rappahannock County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) reports the apprehension of more than just a speeder on October 21.

After observing a vehicle traveling at 111 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone a Rappahannock County Deputy made the traffic stop at Sperryville Pike.

The driver of the vehicle admitted to being drunk and failed a Standardized Field Sobriety Test and the arrest was made.

During a search of the vehicle a bag of suspected narcotics was recovered along with a 9-millimeter handgun.

Further investigation revealed that the firearm had been stolen.

Shawn Allen Jones has been charged with reckless driving.

The 37-year-old Jones also faces a second driving under the influence charge within 10 years and expired registration.

Jones also faces charges of removing and or altering a firearm serial number and is being held in the Rappahannock Shenandoah Warren Regional jail.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Edinburg Police launch Operation Spring Break

International Automotive Components Group

The Edinburg Police Department has launched Operation Spring Break, its program to discourage drunk driving.

Through March 18, officers are distributing flyers at bars and restaurants around town emphasizing the potential cost of fines and fees associated with intoxicated driving. In contrast, the flyer highlights the much lower cost of cab fare.

The flyers feature QR codes of Uber and Lyft and the phone number for a local cab service.