5 days ago
Augusta County pursuit ends on I-81, Harrisonburg man facing several charges
A Harrisonburg man who was reportedly in a pursuit that involved the Augusta County Sheriff's Office and Virginia State Police, resulting in a crash on Interstate 81, is in custody and facing several charges.
Jamie C. Whitesel, 37, is charged with felony eluding, felony assault on a law enforcement officer, driving under the influence, reckless driving, driving while suspended, driving while revoked, illegal use of a crossover, and an unsafe lane change.
Whitesel is being held at Middle River Regional Jail in Verona. The incident took place shortly before 5 p.m. on June 15.
According to Virginia State Police, a state trooper was alerted to a van, possibly stolen, that was headed north on U.S. 11 in Verona. The driver reportedly refused to stop, and a pursuit was initiated near the intersection of Va. 612 and U.S. 11, a press release said.
The van entered I-81 southbound, where Augusta County deputies deployed spike strips, deflating the van's driver's side rear tire at the 225 mile-marker. The suspect continued to drive and reportedly used the crossover at the 223 mile marker, nearly striking a northbound tractor-trailer before being involved in a collision with a second tractor-trailer, the release said.
The collision deflated a front tire, bringing the van to a halt. Whitesel reportedly attempted to flee on foot before he was taken into custody, police said.
The incident remains under investigation.
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Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter).
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Augusta County pursuit ends on I-81, suspect jailed
