Petersburg man arrested in hit-and-run involving trooper at checkpoint

A Petersburg man has been arrested for felony hit and run after he struck an officer while fleeing a traffic stop on Nov. 28, according to Virginia State Police.

Robert Raines, 38, who also has an address in Suffolk, has been charged with eluding, felony hit and run, hit and run, obstruction of justice and operating a motor vehicle on a revoked license.

The incident took place Friday at 3:16 p.m. at a checkpoint on the ramp from Squirrel Level Road to northbound Interstate 85 in Petersburg.

Raines approached the checkpoint in a white Ford SUV with expired temporary tags, and as the trooper put his hand on the door, he reversed, striking the trooper’s left side. He then backed into a guardrail and fled in the direction of Halifax Road.

Because of the positioning of the troopers on the ramp, there was no pursuit.

The trooper was not injured.

ICYMI

• Petersburg: Police search for SUV, struck trooper to avoid checkpoint

The incident remains under investigation.

Raines’ next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 27 in Petersburg General District Court.