Montross Woman Faces Drug Charges Following Reckless Driving Incident

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — A 37-year-old Montross woman faces two charges of possessing controlled substances after a Stafford County Sheriff's deputy stopped her for reckless driving.

Deputy N.J. Amato responded around 7:40 p.m. on Thursday to Deacon Road for a report of reckless driving. The person who filed the report said they'd been tailgated by a vehicle that was swerving. The driver of the swerving vehicle eventually stopped in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven store at 327 Deacon Road in the Fredericksburg area, according to the witness.

Amato made contact with the suspect and struck up a conversation. While they were talking, the deputy saw a smoking pipe in plain view inside the vehicle, according to SCSO. A preliminary investigation revealed that the driver, who was identified as Ladonna Smith, was wanted out of Stafford County for felony hit and run. She was then taken into custody.

During a search of vehicle, investigators found suspected controlled substances both in Smith's vehicle and on her person.

Smith was charged with two counts of possession of controlled substances, providing a false identification to police, and driving with a suspended license. Deputies also served her on her outstanding charge and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.