An intoxicated hit and run driver will spend the rest of the holiday weekend in jail after he fled an accident in North Stafford yesterday afternoon.

On July 1st at 3:54 p.m. Deputy G.P. McCaulley responded to a hit and run accident on Garrisonville Road on the Jessica Cheney Bridge over I-95. He located a Mazda 3 with rear end damage on the shoulder of the road. Witnesses reported a black car with a wing on the back had been speeding and weaving through traffic before striking the rear of the Mazda.

An alert witness snapped a picture of the suspect vehicle’s tag as the suspect fled the scene. This proved unnecessary, as the suspect left his front tag at the scene of the accident. Deputy R.A. Weatherholtz was in the area and quickly located the suspect vehicle. It was easy to spot with significant front end damage and a trail of smoke.

Deputy Weatherholtz conducted a traffic stop on Clarke Hill Road and identified the driver as Jesus Rodriguez, 26, of Stafford. Deputy E.E. West responded to the scene to conduct a DUI investigation.

Deputy McCaulley obtained warrants for felony hit and run, reckless driving and no seatbelt. Deputy West determined Rodriguez was intoxicated and obtained the DUI warrant. Rodriguez was placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. Fortunately, there were no injuries in the accident.

Drive sober or get pulled over. Thank you to the witnesses that assisted with this case. If you see a possible intoxicated driver, call our office at 540-658-4400.