ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, August 16, 1996 TAG: 9608160083
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN SNIDER STAFF WRITER
A Floyd man led state police on a 53-mile chase Thursday - reaching up to 120 mph - south on Interstate 81 from Pulaski County to Washington County, police said. The chase ended when the man lost control of his car and collided with a tractor-trailer.
David Edward Lucas Jr., 18, and his passenger, Tammy Lilly, were wanted on felony charges of attempted malicious wounding of a police officer in Floyd County in connection with an incident Thursday afternoon. Police said Lucas had rammed a county deputy's car about 12:50 p.m. Thursday after the deputy attempted to pull him over for driving with a suspended license.
The two deputies in the car - R.L. Davis and Chief Deputy
S.B. Zeman - were not injured. They continued to chase Lucas and Lilly but broke off pursuit because of concerns about safety.
Police received a tip that the couple would drop Lilly's 8-month-old child off at exit 89 near Virginia 100, state police Sgt. Mike Musser said. A Pulaski County sheriff's deputy and state Trooper Jeff Roark were waiting for them after the baby was dropped off and started pursuing them near exit 86, the Graham's Forge exit, about 6 p.m.
Police clocked speeds of 120 mph as Lucas weaved in and out of the heavy southbound traffic, often passing on the shoulder and median, Musser said.
"There were several near-misses," he said. "They were throwing items out the window at us,'' including a child's safety seat.
Four troopers were chasing Lucas as he approached milepost 32 in Washington County, Musser said. Lucas hit Roark's cruiser in the right front panel, then lost control of his vehicle, Musser said.
Lucas crossed the median and ended up in the northbound lane, where he struck a tractor-trailer, police said.
The crash ruptured the truck's gas tank, but the driver was not injured.
Lucas's car burst into flames, probably after the car's engine ignited some of the truck's diesel fuel, Musser said.
Lucas, who was not injured, was out of the car when police reached him, and Lilly was near the car, Musser said. Her clothes were on fire when police got to her, and she was flown to Smyth County Community Hospital.
Lucas has been charged in Washington County with attempted capital murder of a police officer, resisting arrest, eluding police and driving on a suspended license.
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