ROANOKE MAN ARRESTED AFTER VEHICLE PURSUIT Feb 16

Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at 9:59 p.m., a deputy patrolling the northern section of Botetourt County spotted a red Ford Mustang traveling south on US Route 220 driving erratically swerving between lanes and straddling both lanes of travel. The deputy grew suspicious that the motorist might be impaired and turned on the vehicle, observing the vehicle make an abrupt lane change turning onto Brugh’s Mill Road and accelerating at a high rate of speed. As the deputy caught up with the vehicle, the driver began to turn the headlights on and off. The deputy activated his emergency equipment in an effort to stop the vehicle. The driver refused to stop, turning off the vehicle’s headlights again. The driver then got on I-81 from the 156-exit continuing to drive erratically, surpassing 100mph. The Virginia State Police assisted in the pursuit deploying spike strips around the 146-mile marker of I-81. The pursuit continued onto 581 where the pursuit ended with the help of Virginia State Police. The driver refused to exit the vehicle, despite efforts of law enforcement attempting to remove him. K-9 was deployed, removing the suspect from the vehicle. The driver was transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Justin Denver Grant, 40, of Roanoke, VA was charged with Felony Elude, D.U.I., Driving Suspended, Possession of Controlled Substance, Obstruction, and Assault on Law Enforcement. Grant was also summonsed with expired inspection and failure to obey highway markings. Grant is currently being held without bond at the Botetourt-Craig Regional Jail.

–Sheriff Matthew Ward