ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 7, 1996 TAG: 9611070071
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: GARRISONVILLE
SOURCE: Associated Press
Pursued by dozens of police cars, an 80-mile police chase of a stolen bus evoked images of the movie "Speed" and memories of the O.J. Simpson chase before it ended early Wednesday.
Dewane E. Rickman, 42, of Baltimore, eluded police for 2 1/2 hours before crashing the bus while trying to avoid police cars blocking his path. The chase down Interstate 95, at speeds between 30 mph and 60 mph, ended in Virginia about 40 miles south of Washington, D.C.
Rickman several times swerved at police vehicles, trying to knock them out of his way, police said.
About 30 police cars were involved when the Maryland Transportation Authority vehicle ran into the median and stopped across the left southbound lane of Interstate 95. Rickman had taken the bus from a Baltimore garage, police said.
Virginia state Trooper J.K. Renager sustained minor injuries in the chase, and seven state police cruisers were slightly damaged. Most of the damage occurred when the cars ran over spiked strips police had laid down on the highway to stop the bus.
During the chase, state police fielded a few phone calls from motorists suggesting ways to halt the bus, police spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell said. One caller suggested shooting out the bus radiator.
Rickman offered no resistance when authorities pulled him from the bus about 1 a.m. He was held without bail following arraignment on charges of grand larceny, failing to stop for a police officer and reckless driving.
LENGTH: Short : 37 linesby CNB