State Police charge Waynesboro man following pursuit

Shortly before 4 p.m. Thursday (April 2), the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office was in pursuit of a 2013 Kawasaki motorcycle. As the motorcycle was traveling along South Delphine Avenue, it passed Virginia State Police Trooper S.J. Nicely Jr.  The motorcycle was traveling 95 mph in the posted 45 mph zone. The trooper pulled in behind the motorcycle to assist the sheriff’s deputies.

The motorcycle continued onto Interstate 64, took Exit 99 and continued on Route 250. The motorcycle got back onto the interstate at Exit 107, but was traveling west in the eastbound lanes of I-64. Another trooper attempted to slow eastbound traffic in order to avoid a head-on collision with the oncoming motorcycle. The motorcycle maneuvered through the eastbound traffic, causing one minor traffic crash near the 105 mile marker.

When the motorcyclist reached the 101 mile marker on I-64, the motorcycle ran out of gas. So, the motorcyclist, Gregory A. Jones, 33, of Waynesboro, guided the bike over to the shoulder and rested it against the guardrail. Jones then surrendered to the trooper.

The Kawasaki and helmet were both stolen. State police charged Jones with one felony count of eluding police in Waynesboro, one felony count of eluding police in Albemarle County, possession of Schedule II narcotics (methamphetamine), reckless driving, possession of a stolen vehicle (motorcycle), one felony count of hit and run, and for not having a valid motorcycle license.

The incident remains under investigation.