A Charlottesville man caused some mayhem in the city and neighboring Albemarle County today, driving recklessly and hitting several vehicles before being apprehended.
The driver, Jerome Edward Walker, 34, failed to stop at a red traffic light at 2:30 p.m. in the area of Hilton Heights Road and Seminole Trail.
After the officer observed Walker run a red light, he then continued driving erratically along Seminole Trail. An attempt was made to initially stop the vehicle near Woodbrook Drive; however, the driver disregarded several traffic signals and failed to yield. Due to concern for public safety, the pursuit was terminated.
A second attempt to stop the vehicle was made later, and again the suspect fled in an attempt to elude officers. After entering Charlottesville on the U.S. 250 Bypass, the driver struck another car; no injuries were reported.
ACPD officers were then able to stop the vehicle and take Walker into custody. The same vehicle was allegedly involved in multiple hit-and-run crashes earlier in the day in Charlottesville.
ACPD charged Walker with the following:
- Five counts of disregarding a traffic signal (§46.2-833)
- One count of felony eluding (§46.2-817)
Additional charges are pending.
Walker has faced numerous theft and assault and battery charges in Albemarle County and Charlottesville courts dating back to 2009.