A Staunton man who refused to stop for police has been charged with reckless driving for reaching speeds greater than 85 miles per hour in Augusta County.
Joshua Anthony Hinojos Grado, 19, faces one felony and four misdemeanor charges related to the Jan. 4 incident.
According to the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy attempted to stop two vehicles who appeared to be racing each other in the 1400 block of Jefferson Highway at 7:47 p.m. on Saturday night.
Police say that one vehicle, with Grado at the wheel, did not stop, and instead, at a high rate of speed fled eastbound on Jefferson Highway leading to a brief pursuit.
Less than four minutes after the chase began, Grado allegedly performed a U-turn in the middle of Rosser Avenue in Waynesboro, turned off the vehicle’s headlights and rear-ended another vehicle, causing it to overturn. The suspect then attempted to flee a second time, police said.
The pursuing deputy attempted to intercept the suspect vehicle but collided with another vehicle. The impact caused the vehicle to overturn, and the police car was totaled in the accident.
Grado was arrested and charged with the following:
- 46.2-817 Felony elude law enforcement
- 46.2-865 Misdemeanor racing
- 46.2-862 Misdemeanor reckless driving in excess of 85 MPH
- 46.2-862 Misdemeanor reckless driving
- 46.2-833 Misdemeanor Fail to obey traffic signal
Virginia State Police, the Waynesboro Police Department, Waynesboro Fire Department and Waynesboro First Aid Crew responded to the incident.
Virginia State Police is leading the investigation into the pursuit and accident at the request of the sheriff’s office. No injuries were reported.
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Crystal Graham
