An Augusta County man is in custody after a pursuit on Monday that exceeded 85 miles per hour and took place on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Scott Wayne Fitzgerald, 34, of Mount Sidney, was charged with reckless driving and felony eluding in the chase in the Afton area that took place in Augusta and Rockbridge counties.
He is being held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail.
Police allege that Fitzgerald pulled into an overlook near Irish Creek on the Blue Ridge Parkway at one point during the chase and “intentionally backed” into the deputy’s vehicle, according to the police report.
Fitzgerald was travelling in a red Subaru and was apprehended after deputies used a tire deflation device on his vehicle.
Fitzgerald appears to be the same man who was reported missing last May, and his vehicle was found at an overlook on Shenandoah Mountain. He was safely located a few days later. A search of court records in Virginia does not show him in major trouble with the law prior to this incident. He faced a couple of marijuana possession charges in Montgomery County more than a decade ago. He also faced a couple of traffic infractions including an expired inspection sticker and following too closely.
On Monday, according to the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy was sent to a call for suspicious activity in the 700 block of Elk Mountain Lane. When the deputy arrived, Fitzgerald went into a ditch and drove around the deputy, according to police.
The deputy activated his emergency lights, but Fitzgerald did not stop. He exited Elk Mountain Lane onto the Blue Ridge Parkway where a pursuit began.
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The pursuit remained on the parkway the entire time, entering Rockbridge County before returning to Augusta County.
After the deflation devices were used, he continued until he lost control and crashed. He was then taken into custody, according to the ACSO.
The Wintergreen Police Department, Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police assisted the ACSO in the pursuit.
The crash is under investigation by VSP.
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Crystal Graham
