Pursuit ends in crash near Henrico school

A Richmond police pursuit that extended into Henrico County ended in a two-vehicle crash in front of a school yesterday evening.

At least two people were taken to hospitals after a car being pursued by city police east along Nine Mile Road rear-ended another vehicle at Newbridge Road in front of New Bridge School.

Nine Mile Road at the school is not marked as a school zone.

Henrico resident Brandon Martin, who said he was traveling east on Nine Mile Road, said the fleeing vehicle was speeding at more than 60 mph against traffic and being pursued by two city police cars when it nearly struck his car.

Minutes later, he saw police tackling the man after he had crashed his car into the rear of a car at Newbridge Road.

A Henrico police spokesman said the chase began in the city at Ralph Boulevard near Glenwood Golf Club. The chase lasted for about 3 miles and also resulted in damage to a third vehicle at Laburnum Avenue, which is about a mile west of Newbridge Road.

Henrico police said a suspect left his vehicle after the crash and was pursued on foot and captured. He was placed under arrest, according to a family member, on unspecified charges.

More than a dozen Henrico and Richmond police vehicles were at the crash site yesterday about 5:30 p.m.

Henrico police Lt. R. A. Jackson said last night that hit-and-run warrants will be issued in the case when the suspect is released from the hospital.

Jackson stressed that Henrico police were not involved in the pursuit, only in the investigation of the traffic violations.

Richmond police Capt. David L. Martin said last night the matter remains under investigation and that he is awaiting reports on the pursuit before releasing any information about charges or the suspect's identity.

Contact Bill McKelway at (804) 649-6601 or .