A hit-and-run pursuit led to a crash and driver’s subsequent arrest in the Alexandria section of the Capital Beltway this morning (Thursday), Virginia State Police say.
The crash shut down all southbound I-495 lanes near Van Dorn Street, leading to backups stretching as far as 12 miles, according to an NBC4 report.
On Wednesday, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police attempted to stop a white Range Rover at MLK Jr. Avenue and Forrester Street SW, but the driver refused and struck a police officer who was on foot. The police department says the officer was conscious and breathing when taken to the hospital.
Around 3:36 a.m. Thursday, police in Prince George’s County, Md. located the suspect vehicle. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the pursuit continued on Interstate 495 over the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge into Virginia.
Virginia state troopers pursued the vehicle onto southbound I-495. State police say the suspect’s vehicle struck an uninvolved vehicle that had moved to the left shoulder to avoid the pursuit. The suspect vehicle also crashed into a Virginia State Police cruiser.
Another state trooper detained the suspect after the crash. The suspect, Titus Z. Mayo, 22, of Winterville, N.C., was taken to the hospital and is charged with eluding, reckless driving, driving on a suspended license and additional traffic-related offenses.
Additional charges from Metropolitan Police and Prince George’s County Police are possible.
The state trooper whose vehicle was struck was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The uninvolved driver whose vehicle was hit was also taken to the hospital.
