Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, July 29, 1995                   TAG: 9507310068
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CARJACKER KILLS SELF AFTER POLICE CHASE ON I-81

State troopers pulled Jeffrey Ray Batson, 37, of Millboro from the wrecked car and airlifted him to Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where he was reported dead a short time later, said Jim Ruhland, assistant agent in charge with the state police.

The incident began when Batson stole a car at gunpoint in Bath County around 7 p.m., state police Capt. C.R. Compton said. The Bath County Sheriff's Office reported the car was last seen heading south on Virginia 42.

Some time later, Batson showed up on I-81 south, Compton said. A trucker called 911 on his cellular phone to report a reckless driver. Trooper Steve Oliver got behind the car and kept it in sight until he was joined by Troopers Bob Carpentieri and Mark Austin.

Near the Troutville exit, the three troopers attempted to stop Batson, Compton said.

According to Ruhland, Batson led troopers on a short chase reaching speeds near 100 mph before the stolen car careened into the median and then back into the highway. The car spun into the guardrail at the bottom of the Hollins exit from I-81.

Ruhland said the three troopers, aware that Batson probably was armed, used their cars to block traffic and approached the vehicle. They found Batson slumped over in the seat with a pistol in his hand. He was bleeding heavily from the head.

The troopers never fired their weapons, Ruhland said. Investigators still had not determined Friday night whether Batson shot himself before or after he crashed the car.

Keywords:
FATALITY