Augusta County pursuit ends on I-81, Harrisonburg man facing several charges
Jamie C. Whitesel, 37, is charged with felony eluding, felony assault on a law enforcement officer, driving under the influence, reckless driving, driving while suspended, driving while revoked, illegal use of a crossover, and an unsafe lane change.
Whitesel is being held at Middle River Regional Jail in Verona. The incident took place shortly before 5 p.m. on June 15.
According to Virginia State Police, a state trooper was alerted to a van, possibly stolen, that was headed north on U.S. 11 in Verona. The driver reportedly refused to stop, and a pursuit was initiated near the intersection of Va. 612 and U.S. 11, a press release said.
The van entered I-81 southbound, where Augusta County deputies deployed spike strips, deflating the van's driver's side rear tire at the 225 mile-marker. The suspect continued to drive and reportedly used the crossover at the 223 mile marker, nearly striking a northbound tractor-trailer before being involved in a collision with a second tractor-trailer, the release said.
The collision deflated a front tire, bringing the van to a halt. Whitesel reportedly attempted to flee on foot before he was taken into custody, police said.
The incident remains under investigation.
More: Play All Day VA, Relay for Shea House, Memory Cafes and safe swimming tips: THE DIGEST
More: Waynesboro doctors convicted in theft of mink coat from country club
Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter).
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Augusta County pursuit ends on I-81, suspect jailed
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Teen shot in Waynesboro in road rage incident
Authorities in Waynesboro are investigating a road rage shooting that injured a juvenile over the weekend, a press release said. On August 3 at 3:29 p.m., officers from the Waynesboro Police Department responded to Moonshine Market at 1001 E. Main St. following a report of a victim with a gunshot wound. Police found a 16-year-old boy with injuries that were not life-threatening, the release said. The teen was taken to UVA Health in Charlottesville. Initial findings suggest the incident stemmed from a road rage altercation in the 700 block of North Commerce Avenue, according to police. The investigation is ongoing. More: National Night Out happening Aug. 5 in Augusta County More: Law change spearheaded by local attorney ends juvenile shackling in courtrooms Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Teen shot in Waynesboro in road rage incident
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Yahoo
Virginia State Police identify two victims killed in crash on I-64 in Augusta County
Virginia State Police have identified two people who were killed on Interstate 64 after a truck went off the roadway the morning of July 22 in Augusta County. A 2026 Freightliner TMA crash truck, used to protect workers and motorists in highway work zones, was eastbound on I-64. At approximately 6:19 a.m. at mile marker 89, police said the driver overcorrected, causing the truck to veer off the right side of the interstate. The truck went through a guardrail and down an embankment, striking a tree and overturning on its side. Both the driver and passenger in the truck died at the scene. The driver was identified as Georgeanna L. Hardesty, 51, of Iron Gate. The passenger was Sabrina L. Harris, 50, of Covington. Both were wearing seatbelts, police said. The crash remains under investigation. More: Art Hive calls for help to add accessibility ramp, inclusive mural More: Two Waynesboro police officers indicted amid allegations they assaulted fellow cop More: The Box to offer nightlife and events space in Staunton Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Victims in I-64 crash in Augusta County identified by state police Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Yahoo
Have questions for your candidates? The News Leader wants to hear them.
Do you have any questions for your local candidates? The News Leader's staff is in the early stages of planning candidate forums for the upcoming House of Delegates race in districts 35 and 36, the Augusta County School Board and the Augusta County Board of Supervisors. Currently, the plan includes a forum for each race, but this could change as candidate scheduling allows. Ahead of the forum, The News Leader staff is calling for readers to submit any questions they might have for the three races. Please send any questions or thoughts about what you'd like to learn from the candidates to STA-LOCALNEWS@ The races, and candidates, include: Augusta County Board of Supervisors, Beverley Manor District – Stephen J. Grepps Sr. Augusta County Board of Supervisors, Middle River District – Gerald W. Garber Augusta County Board of Supervisors, Beverley Manor District – Independent Tracy C. Pyles Jr., Republican Chris S. Kincheloe Augusta County School Board, Beverley Manor District – Daniel H. Whitmire, G. L. "Butch" Wells, Dan J. Ferraro Augusta County School Board, Middle River District – David R. Shiflett Augusta County School Board, Pastures District – Timothy M. "Timmy" Simmons, John L. Ocheltree, Jr. House of Delegates District 35 – Republican Chris S. Runion, Democrat Jena L. Crisler House of Delegates District 36 – Democrat Makayla R. Venable, Republican Ellen. H. Campbell More: Project GROWS' youth leadership program has been 'heart changing' for some area teens More: Two Waynesboro police officers indicted amid allegations they assaulted fellow cop Lyra Bordelon (she/her) is the public transparency and justice reporter at The News Leader. Do you have a story tip or feedback? It's welcome through email to lbordelon@ Subscribe to us at This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Submit questions ahead of planned candidate forums from The News Leader Solve the daily Crossword
