A routine traffic stop by a Radford City police officer Friday afternoon turned into a pursuit that went through Montgomery County and the Town of Christiansburg and ended only when the offender wrecked her vehicle on I-81 North at mile marker 118C.
The Radford officer tried to initiate a traffic stop of a blue Honda on Tyler Avenue at 3:35 p.m. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop, and the pursuit ensued.
The driver, Rachel Michelle Lee, 33, of Radford, was taken into custody after she wrecked her vehicle. The following charges were lodged against her: felony eluding (46.2-817), DUI (18.2-266), reckless driving by speed (46.2-852), possession of controlled substance (18.2-250) and driving with a suspended license (46.2-301).
The Radford City Police Department was assisted by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the Christiansburg Police Department and the Virginia State Police.
“We are thankful that nobody including the offender was seriously injured during this vehicle pursuit,” said Radford City Police Chief Jeffrey Dodson, Jr. “This is an excellent example of several agencies working together to bring this pursuit to an end. We express our appreciation to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the Christiansburg Police Department and the Virginia State Police for their assistance during this vehicle pursuit.”
Lee is being held in the New River Valley Regional Jail with no bond.