Ten-Mile Chase Down I-66 Ends in Upside-Down Crash for Driver Eluding Police

A Maryland man is facing charges from Fairfax County after he led police on a “reckless” 10-mile pursuit on eastbound Interstate 66, after failing to stop for a traffic violation, according to Fairfax County Police.

The incident with driver Maurice Savoy, 23, of Fort Washington, Md., who slid off the roadway and crashed his car, took place on Tuesday, Dec. 9, with another occupant inside. Police charged him on Sunday with Felony to Speed to Elude.

This isn’t the first time police have pursued a vehicle down I-66 leading to a crash. A police chase down I-66 left six people injured and blocked traffic for three hours in August. Police at that time initially stopped the driver for driving on the shoulder of the road, according to a story in The Washington Post.

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This more recent chase started Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 1:32 p.m., when an FCPD officer driving a marked police cruiser observed a traffic violation on eastbound I-66 near Route 29/Lee Highway near Centreville, according to police.

The officer initiated a traffic stop on the driver of a 2007 Dodge Charger. The driver disregarded the officer and fled eastbound on I66, according to police. The pursuit continued down the interstate for more than 10 miles with the suspect “driving in a reckless manner, placing motorists and officers in immediate danger,” according to FCPD.

As the pursuit approached the Dulles Toll Road (Route 267) near the Tysons-Falls Church area, the officer utilized the Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT). The vehicle slid off the roadway and crashed into a pole, coming to rest on its roof. Responding officers summoned rescue and rendered first aid. Both occupants were transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital for medical treatment.

This pursuit remains under investigation by the Major Crimes Division and Internal Affairs Bureau. The initiating officer is a 21-year-veteran of the Fairfax County Police Department, assigned to the Traffic Division.