A Virginia state trooper was injured after being struck by a vehicle on Interstate 495 near Telegraph Road in Alexandria Tuesday night while pursuing a fleeing suspect following a crash.
The suspect, Gregory S. Newton, 57, of Springfield, was later arrested with help from Metro Transit Police at the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station in D.C. He was charged with assault on a police officer, hit and run, driving on a suspended license, possession of a controlled substance and eluding police.
Just after 9 p.m., Virginia State Police attempted to stop a black Chrysler 300 with expired tags at the Springfield interchange. A chase ensued, and the Chrysler rear-ended a tractor-trailer east of the Telegraph Road exit, according to Virginia State Police.
“The suspect driver then exited the vehicle and ran across all of the lanes of the interstate and into the City of Alexandria,” state police said. “Troopers followed the suspect on foot. During the foot pursuit on the interstate, one of the troopers who attempted the initial stop, was struck by an uninvolved vehicle.”
The injured trooper was taken to an area hospital.
Newton then allegedly evaded the fare at the Eisenhower Avenue Metro station, boarded a train and was tracked down with help from Metro’s “extensive camera network” before being arrested at the L’Enfant Plaza station, according to state police.
A state police spokesperson noted Newton’s hit-and-run charge was for striking the tractor-trailer. The spokesperson said the driver that struck the state trooper remained at the scene, and no charges have been filed.
The incident remains under investigation.
