On 07/13/2022 at 3:17 p.m. Deputy R.M. Connelly was traveling southbound on Richmond Highway when he observed a vehicle traveling the opposite direction at a high rate of speed. The suspect vehicle, a gray Nissan with damage to the front passenger side, was traveling 67 MPH in a 45 MPH zone. Deputy Connelly activated his lights and sirens to conduct a traffic stop when the vehicle then began to speed up to 75 MPH and failed to stop for the Deputy.

During the pursuit, the vehicle crossed into another lane of traffic in front of a large truck. The truck had to apply the brakes in order to prevent a collision. The suspect vehicle then turned into a parking lot and attempted to hide their vehicle among the other parked cars.

Deputy Connelly easily identified the vehicle due to the damage on the vehicle. The driver, Mickayla Lafayette, 19, was still in the driver’s seat on her phone. Lafayette had two priors for reckless driving in the past.

Lafayette was charged with felony eluding, misdemeanor reckless by speed, and misdemeanor reckless driving. She was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $1,000 secured bond.