ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 11, 1997 TAG: 9702110074
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
A Java man was found guilty Monday of eluding a police officer in connection with a September high-speed chase in Montgomery County that reached speeds of more than 100 mph.
Christopher T. Hutcherson, 20, pleaded not guilty but was found guilty in Montgomery County General District Court. He was sentenced to a year in jail and fined $2,500 by the court - the maximum penalty for the class one misdemeanor.
Hutcherson's attorney, Jimmy Turk, said three charges against his client, two counts of reckless driving and a hit and run, were dropped. Two other charges, destruction of state property and attempted malicious wounding, were certified and will be heard by a grand jury March 8.
The 15-mile chase began in Radford and ended when Hutcherson wrecked his truck on a Montgomery County logging road, according to police. At one point, Hutcherson rammed a state trooper's car. A Montgomery sheriff's deputy's car stalled in a creek during the pursuit.
State police used dogs to track Hutcherson, who was hiding on a ridge, after he wrecked his truck and fled.
The chase began when a Radford police officer attempted to serve Hutcherson with outstanding arrest warrants from Pittsylvania County, where Java is located. After the chase, Hutcherson told police he ran because he was afraid of going to jail.
LENGTH: Short : 35 linesby CNB