FRPD car chase end in crash

Front Royal Police Department seal used by permission

On Thursday, July 9th at 3 pm officers with the Front Royal Police Department (FRPD) attempted to stop a green Nissan that was reported stolen.

The car failed to stop and fled the scene in the area of Villa and 6th Street, the driver continued at a high rate of speed on to Shenandoah Avenue.

While continuing onto eastbound I-66, the driver recklessly passed several other vehicles.

Just before mile marker 12, the driver exited the road entered a wooded area in the median and crashed.

The driver immediately fled the scene, a passenger also exited the vehicle at this time.

She was briefly detained for questioning before being transported to Warren Memorial Hospital.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, and the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office assisted in sitting up a perimeter.

The driver was not initially located.

Warren County Sheriff’s Deputies located James R. Lewis a short distance from the crash site.

They took him into custody without further incident.

He was taken to Warren Memorial Hospital and transferred to the RSW Jail.

Mr. Lewis is charged with several different crimes including:

  • Felony disregarding a law enforcement signal to stop.
  • Reckless Driving
  • Obstruction of Justice

More charges are pending.

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

New laws for July 1st

News to know valley graphic created by Royal Broadcasting employee Brooke Greene used by permission

Several new Virginia laws take effect July first, bringing changes that could affect many residents.

The new Clean Slate Act will allow eligible misdemeanor and some low-level felony records to be automatically sealed.

This will help more Virginians qualify for jobs and housing.

Job seekers will also benefit from new workplace rules.

Many employers will now have to include salary ranges in job postings and will no longer be allowed to ask applicants about their salary history.

For drivers, judges can now require certain repeat reckless driving offenders to install speed-limiting devices in their vehicles.

And beginning July first, all remaining food vendors across Virginia must stop using Styrofoam takeout containers as the state’s environmental ban expands statewide.

Most of the new laws take effect Tuesday, although some enforcement provisions will be phased in over time.

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

Front Royal man sentenced in RC Circuit Court

A Front Royal man was sentenced to 2 years and 5 months in prison Monday after pleading guilty in Rappahannock County Circuit Court to charges stemming from a highspeed chase through Flint Hill last September that reached 110 mph.

Donald Jett, 46, appeared before Judge Douglas Fleming with his attorney, John Clark, who advised the court that a plea agreement had been reached.

Jett pleaded guilty to reckless driving by speed in excess of 85 mph and felony eluding police.

A third charge of general reckless driving was not prosecuted as part of the agreement.

According to a criminal complaint, the incident occurred on Sept. 1, 2024, when a deputy observed Jett’s silver Lexus traveling 71 mph in a 55 mph zone on Zachary Taylor Highway near Flint Hill.

Authorities say the deputy activated emergency lights and sirens.

Jett did not stop and instead accelerated, reaching speeds of approximately 110 mph.

The complaint states he later drove through the village at about 105 mph in a posted 25 mph zone.

Investigators allege Jett lost control while turning onto Fodderstack Road, striking an embankment near a residence.

The vehicle continued before coming to a stop in a driveway.

Jett exited the Lexus with his hands raised, according to the complaint.

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

18-Year-Old Driver Flees Deputies at 120 MPH

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

Early Friday morning, an 18-year-old driver was arrested in Warrenton for reaching speeds of 120 mph in a 55 mph zone. 

A Fauquier County Sheriff’s Deputy first noticed the car going 108 mph and began pursuit. 

The deputy caught up to the speeding vehicle and turned on the emergency lights. 

But the speeding driver failed to comply and sped up. 

Eventually, a Virginia State Trooper deployed tire deflation devices, and the speeding vehicle slowed.

In the car were Landon Bryant Moore, the driver, and a 17-year-old passenger.

The passenger was provided transportation by a family member.

Moore was handcuffed and taken to the Fauquier County Adult Detention Center.

He was charged with felony eluding, felony child endangerment, reckless driving by speed, failure to obey traffic signals, and having an improper exhaust system.

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

VSP trooper and K9 injured

VSP official patch and logo used by permission by Information Officer Brent Coffey

A Virginia State Police (VSP) trooper and a K9 were slightly injured early Friday morning during a pursuit on I-495.

Police say a trooper spotted a vehicle traveling 90 mph on I-95 with stolen license plates around 3:38 a.m.

The driver, later identified as Jared D. Rodriguez, 20, of Silver Spring, MD, fled, leading officers onto I-495.

Near the American Legion Bridge, Rodriguez reportedly rammed a patrol car, injuring the trooper and the K9.

Rodriguez faces multiple charges, including reckless driving, felony eluding, assault on an officer, and injury to a police animal.

Three passengers were briefly detained and later released.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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

Virginia State Police conducting Operation DISS-rupt

VSP official patch and logo used by permission by Information Officer Brent Coffey

Virginia State Police (VSP) reports that Fairfax and Culpeper divisions will be conducting Operation DISS-rupt along the length of interstate 66 from today to August 24th.

This operation will focus on distracted driving, impaired driving, speed compliance and seat belt safety.

VSP previously conducted a similar operation in February where State Troopers were able to cite 14 drivers for reckless driving and 35 drivers for speeding.

There were no citations issued for seatbelt violations.

Operation DISS-rupt focuses on four causes of crashes. Ditch Distractions, Never Drive Impaired, Comply with Speed Limits and Seat Belt safety.

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

FCSO seeking information identifying reckless motorcycle rider

The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office reports that they are seeking information identifying a motorcycle rider.

The motorcycle rider was witnessed driving recklessly through various streets.

The driver was described as a white male with a white shirt, black backpack, light colored jeans and a black helmet on a sport bike with blue trim and no back license plate.

A traffic stop was attempted but the subject fled.

Anyone with information is asked to contact The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office.

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

NY man is facing multiple charges in Leesburg

News to know valley graphic created by Royal Broadcasting employee Brooke Greene used by permission

A Brooklyn, New York man is facing multiple charges in Leesburg after being extradited to Virginia earlier this week.

Leesburg Police say 34-year-old Shawn C. Adito Adams was extradited from Connecticut, where he was held on unrelated charges.

Adams is accused of two retail thefts at the LIDS store on Fort Evans Road last year.

In one incident, police say Adams struck an officer with his vehicle while fleeing the scene, causing minor injuries.

Adams is now facing charges including grand larceny, assault on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding, and reckless driving.

He’s being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center without bond.

The Leesburg Police Department thanks the Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney for their help in this case.

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

VSP step up enforcement over the Thanksgiving holiday on Rt. 29

VSP official patch and logo used by permission by Information Officer Brent Coffey

Virginia State Police (VSP) report by email that they will be stepping up their highway safety initiative over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

This initiative will be especially enforced over the entire 200 miles of Route 29.

From Fauquier County to the North Carolina line November 22 through the entire holiday patrols will increase.

This time period coincides with the fall colleges and universities break.

State Troopers will be targeting speeding, reckless driving, distracted driving, and seatbelt violations.

The last two years have shown an increase in crashes including those with injuries on Route 29 in the month of November.

A breakdown of the numbers shows in 2021 659 crashes occurred with an alarming 774 crashes in 2023.

Caution in 2024 cannot be stressed enough as we head into one of the busiest travel times of the year.

For more information including a link to apply, click here.

ACSO pursues a man who causes an eight car crash

VSP official patch and logo used by permission by Information Officer Brent Coffey

The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) reports pursuit of a man who eventually caused an eight car crash.

On November 18 an Augusta County Deputy took pursuit of a blue Acura that failed to yield the right of way in the Fishersville area.

Ignoring the attempts to pull the vehicle over the driver instead increased speeds and ignored traffic signs and lights.

As the pursuit intensified the deputy attempted to pin the vehicle against the curb causing the driver to go faster and weave in and out of traffic.

Once into the Long Meadow and Jefferson Highway area the Acura rear ended another vehicle which began a chain reaction involving eight vehicles.

Multiple individuals had to be transported to Augusta Health with one person suffering serious injuries.

The driver of the Acura was taken into custody and was identified as Justin Riley Harvey.

Harvey fled because he was facing active warrants out of Waynesboro.

The 36-year-old Harvey out of Stuarts Draft now faces additional charges after this latest incident.

The charges out of Waynesboro include felony malicious wounding, shooting into or at a vehicle, use of a firearm while committing certain felonies, and a violent felon in possession of a weapon.

The November 18 incident remains under investigation by Virginia State Police and Augusta County Sheriff’s Office.

For more information including a link to apply, click here.