ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 4, 1997 TAG: 9702040087
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
An 18-year-old Virginia Tech student is free on bond after he fled a police officer and his car hit a car that, in turn, struck two pedestrians early Saturday in downtown Blacksburg.
Town police arrested Ryan C. Land of Norfolk on charges of drunken driving, failing to stop for police, reckless driving and felony hit and run after the incident that left four other Tech students injured. Lt. Bruce Bradbery said Land's blood-alcohol content was 0.16 percent - twice Virginia's legal limit.
A police officer, who was on foot, signaled Land to stop his car about 1 a.m. Saturday. According to police, the officer was attempting to investigate a complaint that Land was driving while intoxicated.
Instead of stopping, Land sped off in his car from the 400 block of East Roanoke Street, police said. As Land approached the intersection of Roanoke and Main streets four blocks later, he ran a red light and collided with a second car, police said. The second car was pushed into two pedestrians.
Land did not stop after the wreck, but instead headed north on Main Street. Police said Land turned off Main onto Jackson Street and traveled several blocks before the engine in his car failed. An officer who had joined the pursuit on Jackson Street then arrested him.
Blacksburg rescue workers took three people to Columbia Montgomery Regional Hospital. The driver of the second car, Aaron Shapiro, was treated and released Saturday, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
The two pedestrians, Brian C. Bonner, 18, and Tonia E. Lowe, 19, were also treated and released, she said.
A passenger in Land's car, David J. Gilbert, 19, was injured when the car hit a pole and trash can in front of a business. He was not taken to the hospital, however.
Police estimated the damage to Shapiro's and Land's cars at $10,000 each. Police said Land's car was a total loss.
Land's bond was set at $20,000. No court date has been set in the case.
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