Police chase ends in crash on I-95

TL;DR: A Virginia State Police pursuit that began in Petersburg ended in a rollover crash on southbound I-95 near mile marker 61 in Chesterfield on Wednesday evening, with the driver sustaining minor injuries.

The story

Virginia State Police responded to a traffic stop that escalated into a high-speed pursuit on Wednesday evening, June 3, 2026, when a driver refused to yield and continued onto Interstate 95 in Chesterfield County. Troopers initiated the stop at around 5 p.m. on a 2022 Buick Encore on South Crater Road near Washington Street in Petersburg after observing the vehicle passing on the shoulder and failing to maintain its lane of travel. When the driver did not acknowledge the emergency lights and sirens, he continued north and merged onto I-95.

While driving aggressively through northbound lanes, the driver attempted to pass a tractor-trailer vehicle near mile marker 61. Unable to safely complete the maneuver, he lost control of the Buick, which overturned and came to rest in the southbound lanes of the interstate. Virginia State Police said the driver sustained minor injuries in the crash and was taken into custody without further incident.

The rollover did not result in injuries to the state trooper or other drivers on I-95. No details have been released regarding charges the driver may face, though the pursuit alone typically results in felony eluding charges under Virginia law. VSP has not disclosed the driver's name or any additional details about the circumstances that prompted the initial traffic stop beyond the observed traffic violations.

High-speed pursuits on I-95 present significant safety risks to drivers and officers alike. The interstate corridor through Chesterfield County carries substantial daily traffic volume, and pursuits in such environments can quickly escalate from routine stops to dangerous situations, as occurred in this case.

Key players

• Virginia State Police — Law enforcement agency that initiated the traffic stop and investigated the pursuit
• Chesterfield County Police — Local law enforcement (assisted or responded to the incident)

Why it matters: This incident highlights ongoing public safety concerns about high-speed pursuits on major highways in Chesterfield County and the risks they pose to all motorists. The outcome—a crash on a major interstate—underscores the need for clear policies governing when and how law enforcement should engage in pursuits in congested traffic areas.

Places

• Interstate 95
• South Crater Road
• Washington Street
• Petersburg

Related links

• Virginia State Police
• Chesterfield County Police Department

Read the original at Google News: Chesterfield County →

Sources

• Virginia State Police investigate I-95 pursuit, rollover crash
• Car overturns on I-95 during traffic stop turned police pursuit
• Driver crashes after allegedly fleeing VSP on I-95