Pursuit Arrest
 
By Major Shawn Kimmitz
January 2, 2024
 

A 19-year-old Stafford man will ring in the New Year from the cell blocks after incorrectly believing he could outrun the law this afternoon.

On December 31st at 2:20 p.m. Deputy J.E. Alford observed a black Chevy Camaro traveling 90 mph in the posted 45 mph zone of southbound Richmond Highway near Twin Brook Drive. Deputy Alford attempted a traffic stop, but the driver accelerated and weaved through traffic initiating a pursuit.

The Camaro continued along Richmond Highway, passing vehicles across the double yellow lines before turning onto Hospital Center Boulevard toward I-95. The suspect accelerated onto I-95 South reaching speeds over 100 mph as Deputy S.M. Eastman and K-9 Ruby joined the pursuit.

The suspect exited onto Centreport Parkway, but the 90 degree turn before Mountain View Road proved to be his undoing as he crashed into the guardrail. The driver was quickly taken into custody and deputies discovered two juvenile relatives of the suspect were also in the vehicle. The juveniles were transported to the hospital to be checked for minor injuries.

The driver was identified as Muhammad Zalmai. He was charged with felony child endangerment, eluding, reckless driving and excessive window tint. He was held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.