Traffic Stop Leads to Assault, Drug Charges for Driver on Richmond Highway

A traffic stop Saturday morning turned into much more for a man from the Alexandria area of Fairfax County, according to Fairfax County Police

Awot Tsehaye Negash, 34, was pulled over just before 4 a.m. Saturday in the 8300 block of Richmond Highway, according to police.

A police officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop when the driver stopped his vehicle in the middle of a travel lane, police said. The driver exited his vehicle and assaulted the officer, police noted.

Other responding officers were able to take the suspect into custody. Awot Tsehaye Negash, 34, of the Alexandria area of Fairfax County, was charged with two counts of assault on a police officer, possession of drugs and driving under the influence, police reported.

Two officers were treated at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.