A North Carolina man is in custody following an alleged high speed pursuit that culminated with injuries to a Patrick County deputy.
George Lee Bombe, 54, of 1001 Mitchell Street, Mount Airy, N.C., was charged Dec. 22 with felony eluding a law enforcement officer and driving on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, according to a news release from Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith.
The charges stem from an alleged incident that began around 8 p.m. on Dec. 10 when Master Deputy Winfred Hill attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a 2005 Chevy Tahoe traveling on Trucker Drive in Ararat, the release stated.
The vehicle failed to stop for the deputy’s blue lights and siren, and allegedly tried to outrun Hill on Ararat Highway, exceeding speeds of 90 miles per hour.
Smith said the pursuit crossed into Surry County, N.C., and then came back into Virginia on Willis Gap Road.
Smith alleged the vehicle was being operated in an extremely reckless and erratic manner, and appeared to be intentionally driving into oncoming traffic. He said the vehicle nearly collided with multiple different vehicles in both Virginia and North Carolina.
Once back into Virginia, Hill determined the vehicle posed a danger to the general public and had to be removed from the highway. As a result, Smith said Hill made the decision to end the pursuit and initiated a PIT maneuver (Pursuit Intervention Technique) on the Tahoe.
Smith said the Tahoe crashed into some farm equipment; Hill’s patrol car overturned in the middle of Willis Gap Road.
The driver of the Tahoe allegedly fled on foot.
Hill sustained minor injuries in the incident, Smith said, adding the deputy was treated and later released from Northern Surry Hospital.
Patrick investigators spent the next 12 days gathering what Smith said was “ample evidence” to identify the driver of the Tahoe, Smith said, and noted the Tahoe and all of its contents were impounded as evidence.
Smith said he also has been in contact with authorities in North Carolina regarding potential charges there.
Bombe is being held on a $5,000 bond awaiting trial in Patrick County General District Court.
The investigation is continuing, and anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Smith at (276) 692-7012 or Investigator Tyler Wilson at (276) 692-5123.
