VIRGINIA — A Lynchburg man was arrested early Monday morning following a high-speed pursuit involving a U-Haul truck on Interstate 81 in Washington County, Virginia.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted to stop the truck near Exit 13 in Abingdon just before 1 a.m.
The driver, identified as 40-year-old Michael C. Chewning of Lynchburg, refused to stop and accelerated, initiating a pursuit southbound on I-81.
During the chase, Chewning reportedly swerved toward deputies multiple times, including an instance where he appeared to steer directly at a deputy attempting to deploy spike strips.
The pursuit continued onto Gate City Highway, Reedy Creek Road, and Miller Hill Road before Chewning fled on foot near Beech Grove Methodist Church.
K-9 Rybar was deployed to apprehend Chewning. In addition to active warrants from Nelson and Appomattox counties, he faces charges including three counts of attempted capital murder, felony eluding, and possession of a Schedule I or II narcotic.
Chewning is currently being held without bond at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail.
