Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 27, 1995 TAG: 9507270088
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
The incident began Tuesday about 8:30 p.m. when state police pulled Thomas Dennis Niday Jr. over on suspicion of drunken driving on Interstate 81, a mile south of the Hollins exit.
Trooper Steve Oliver handcuffed Niday, 32, and put him in the patrol car then went to assist officers who were arresting three of Niday's passengers on charges of being drunk in public. Police said Niday climbed behind the wheel and took off south on I-81.
Police pursued him onto Interstate 581, then onto the south Peters Creek Road exit, where he wrecked the car, apparently running over a hornets' nest. He fled on foot.
Roanoke and Roanoke County officers helped search for Niday. Darkness, and a torrential rain that began an hour into the search, made the chase more difficult.
Police said Niday was walking on Peters Creek Road with his cuffed hands swinging in front of him when he was picked up about 12:30 Wednesday afternoon. He was near the ravine where the stolen police car was found, according to state police Sgt. Joe Rader.
Rader said troopers routinely leave patrol cars running because otherwise the radio equipment and flashing lights would quickly drain the battery.
Niday is in Roanoke County Jail on $5,000 bond, charged with grand larceny, possession of marijuana, driving under the influence and escaping custody, Rader said.
Rader said Niday did not suffer any injuries in the wreck and has apologized to the trooper whose car he took.
by CNB