A Roanoke man travelling at more than 80 miles per hour on Interstate 81 in Augusta County led deputies on a dangerous chase in Verona Thursday night.
Jerry Wayne Underwood Jr., 41, was taken to Augusta Health for medical treatment after he was apprehended. He was treated and released and is now being held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail.
According to the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy attempted to stop Underwood on I-81 at 9:30 p.m. The vehicle was observed traveling at 83 miles per hour.
However, when the deputy caught up to the vehicle, it immediately exited at the Verona exit. The driver did not stop and eluded deputies on Laurel Hill Road through the Riverside subdivision before spinning out of control in the parking lot at the Verona Food Lion.
Underwood eventually drove behind the structure, but the deputy was able to block his vehicle in. He exited the vehicle and fled on foot. A K-9 dog assisted deputies in apprehending Underwood.
Underwood was wanted on two separate probation violations in Franklin County and Roanoke.
He has been charged with:
- Probation violation for possession and distribution of methamphetamine (Franklin County)
- Probation violation for felony eluding law enforcement and two counts of hit and run (Roanoke City)
- Possession with intent to distribute Schedule I or II drug (third or subsequent offense)
- Possession of Schedule I or II drug
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Possession of a firearm while in possession of Schedule I or II controlled substance with intent to distribute
- Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon
- Felony eluding law enforcement
A search of Virginia court records returns nearly 100 charges against Underwood dating back to 2004. The charges include petit larceny, drug possession and distribution (meth and marijuana), contempt of court, reckless driving, hit and run, traffic violations and multiple probation violations.
There were no reported injuries to deputies or members of the public in the chase.
The incident remains under investigation.
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Crystal Graham
