Sterling Man Arrested, Accused Of Fleeing From Cops Before Crashing In Stafford: Police

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — A man from Sterling faces several charges after police said he fled deputies who tried to stop him in Stafford County on Sunday night, the sheriff's office said. Deputies said they arrested the man after he crashed into a truck at a traffic light.

In a report, the Stafford County Sheriff's Office said there were no serious injuries as a result of the crash or chase.

Authorities identified the fleeing driver as Jefferson Melendez Duran, a 19-year-old man from Sterling. A passenger in Melendez Duran's vehicle, 21-year-old Franmi de la Cruz Gonzalez, was also arrested after the crash, police said.

Melendez Duran is charged with driving after illegally consuming alcohol, underage possession of alcohol, eluding, reckless by speed, reckless passing on a curve, reckless improper brakes, no license and a learner’s permit violation. Gonzalez was charged with public intoxication, obstruction and possession of a concealed weapon.

Melendez Duran was held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $5,000 bond. Gonzalez was held at the jail on a $2,000 bond.

Around 9 p.m. on Sunday, a Stafford County Deputy reported a white Honda CRV travelling 65 miles per hour in a 45 miles per hour zone on Cool Springs Road. The deputy attempted a traffic stop on nearby Butler Road, but the Honda sped away.

In its report, the sheriff's office said the fleeing SUV reached 64 miles per hour in a 35 miles per hour zone while passing other cars on a curve. The deputy began to chase the SUV, authorities said.

The chase lasted for less than half of a mile, the sheriff's office said. The fleeing Honda crashed into a Chevrolet Silverado that was stopped at the traffic signal at Cambridge Street, according to the police report.