ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, December 6, 1996 TAG: 9612060049
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: ABINGDON
SOURCE: Associated Press
A man who led state police on a wild chase that ended with a fiery crash has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.
David Edward Lucas Jr., 18, agreed to plead guilty to attempted malicious wounding, Commonwealth's Attorney Dennis Godfrey said. The charge was downgraded from attempted capital murder of a police officer.
Lucas also pleaded guilty Wednesday to reckless driving and obstructing justice and received a four-month jail term. He will return to court on the attempted malicious wounding charge.
Lucas was driving with a revoked license when he was spotted in Floyd County on the afternoon of Aug.15, according to police. He refused to stop for a sheriff's deputy, and later tried to break through a roadblock by ramming two police cars.
State troopers said they exceeded 100 mph as Lucas and Tammy Sowers Lilly, 19, threw a child safety seat, plastic soda bottles, a clock radio, clothing and trash into the officers' path.
Lilly is charged in Smyth County with ``throwing a missile at an occupied vehicle'' and littering, according to court records.
A police helicopter was summoned during the chase. Police say Lucas slammed on his brakes as he entered Washington County, causing one of the cruisers to slam into his Ford Taurus. That sent Lucas spinning out of control, and his car collided head-on with a tractor-trailer. The truck's fuel tank ruptured and the car burst into flames.
Police said Lucas tried to flee on foot, but was soon captured. Troopers and other rescue workers pulled Lilly from the burning wreck, then doused the flames on her feet and clothes. Her injuries were minor.
LENGTH: Short : 41 linesby CNB