Drunk Driver Led Deputies On 80 MPH Chase Through Stafford: Police

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — An 80 mph car chase through Stafford County ended without any injuries on Sunday night, the Stafford County Sheriff's Office said.

The fleeing driver, who authorities identified as Tony Trimble of King George County, was taken into custody after the chase. He is charged with felony eluding, a third DUI offense within five years, driving after forfeiture of license, failing to maintain the lane of travel, failing to obey traffic lights, failing to obey highway signs and throwing an inflammable object (cigarette) from the vehicle.

Trimble is being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail. His court date is scheduled for Aug. 17.

If convicted, Trimble could face up to 11 years in prison, based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines.

Around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, deputies were told to look for a drunk driver in an orange Dodge Caliber on southbound Richmond Highway. A deputy spotted the car near Hospital Center Boulevard and reported that the driver couldn't stay within the lines on the road.

"A traffic stop was attempted near the Rappahannock Regional Jail, which would have made this incident much more convenient, but the driver elected to initiate a pursuit," the sheriff's office wrote on Facebook. "The driver continued southbound at speeds up to 80 mph, disregarded traffic signals and turned onto Layhill Road."

Deputies tried to use spike strips to stop the chase, but they were unsuccessful.

The chase continued onto Leeland Road before the fleeing driver turned onto Deacon Road. There, authorities said the driver tried to trick deputies.

"The suspect deployed the fake turn signal like he was going to turn left onto Brooke Road, but he actually turned right," the sheriff's office said. "Deputies were not fooled."

The driver eventually crashed into a ditch on New Hope Church Road, authorities reported. The driver tried to escape by ramming his car into police cruisers, but he was unable to escape.

The driver, who deputies identified as Trimble, was taken into custody.