Suspect Jumped On Back Of Garbage Truck To Flee Stafford Crash Site: Police

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — A man jumped on the back of a garbage truck as he fled the scene of a single-car crash in Stafford on Wednesday morning, police said. The man told police that he had seen the escape in a movie.

Police identified the man as 57-year-old William Pandolfi of New Hampshire. He is charged with DUI, hit and run and a traffic lane violation. He was held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $10,000 bond.

Pandolfi's next court date is scheduled for Nov. 4. If convicted of all charges, Pandolfi could face up to two years in prison.

The crash occurred around 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday near the intersection of Mountain View Road and Kellogg Mill Road. A Stafford County deputy said a 2018 Hyundai Sonata drove off the road, went through a field, and got stuck in an embankment.

The driver, who police identified as Pandolfi, left the scene by jumping onto the back of a garbage truck. The truck driver stopped and Pandolfi jumped off, according to the police report. Pandolfi later told police that he had seen a similar escape in a movie.

Authorities claimed that Pandolfi then ran into a wooded area before getting stuck in some thorns. He then surrendered to police.

Pandolfi was charged with DUI after deputies said he had glassy eyes and slurred speech.

Virginia's drunken driving laws are among the harshest in the nation, the DMV said. If a driver is convicted for a first DUI offense, the minimum punishment includes a $250 fine and a revocation of the driver's license for one year. A DUI conviction can also require the installation of an ignition interlock device.

Resources are available for people who are struggling with addiction. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration operates a 24/7 hotline that can help people find resources and get the help they need.