Dale City Man Arrested After Police Chase, Traffic Accident

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Image: Gavin Gerald Simms

A wanted man tried to elude police in his vehicle Thursday morning, but he got into an accident at a Woodbridge intersection and was caught while trying to flee on foot, police said.

Gavin Gerald Simms, 25, of 3591 Forestdale Ave., is charged with felony hit and run, felony eluding, reckless driving and driving on a revoked license, according to the Prince William County police. He was previously wanted for hit and run, driving on a revoked license and phone threats.

Simms is being held without bond in the Prince William-Manassas regional jail, and his next date in court is July 13.

No injuries were reported in the chase, which began when police responded at 8:21 a.m. Thursday to the 12800 block of Effingham Court in Lake Ridge to investigate a suspicious person. A caller told police that a man, later identified as Simms, had been sitting in a vehicle in the area since the night before, according to a police report.

The officers further learned that Simms was wanted in Prince William County and other area jurisdictions. Once in the area, the officers encountered the accused and issued commands for him to exit the vehicle. At that point, Simms backed his vehicle toward the officers before driving through a grassy common area and onto Beaver Pond Road, police said.

Police pursued Simms to the area of Smoketown Road and Minnieville Road in Woodbridge, where he disregarded a red traffic signal and was struck by another vehicle. After the crash, Simms fled on foot and was eventually taken into custody, police said.