Charges Multiply In Chase

A high-speed chase near Elkton ended early Thursday morning with a Shenandoah man facing roughly a dozen charges.

Christopher Lee Wolfe, 34, is charged with felony eluding, felony hit-and-run, felony escape, misdemeanor driving under the influence as a second offense and eight additional driving-related misdemeanors.

Sgt. Les Tyler with the Virginia State Police said the chase began about 5:15 a.m. when a trooper noticed a 2002 Chevrolet Camaro driving east on Spotswood Trail in the McGaheysville area.

The trooper clocked the car at 70 mph in a 55 mph zone.

Tyler said the suspect, later identified as Wolfe, turned off Spotswood Trail and eventually made his way to U.S. 340.

At one point, Tyler said, Wolfe lost control of his car and spun 180 degrees. He then accelerated, striking the trooper’s cruiser.

Police say speeds reached at least 100 mph.

Wolfe continued on U.S. 340 and turned onto Berrytown Road, where he lost control again. He struck the trooper’s vehicle a second time before coming to stop in an embankment.

Tyler said Wolfe continued to accelerate but spun out. He said the tires caught fire and spread to the entire vehicle, destroying it.

The trooper freed the man from the burning car and took him into custody. While being escorted to the cruiser, Tyler said, Wolfe tried unsuccessfully to flee.

Wolfe, who wasn’t injured in the crash, is being held without bond in Rockingham County Jail.

Tyler said the trooper later drove himself to Rockingham Memorial Hospital to be checked out for injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Contact Pete DeLea at 574-6278 or pdelea@dnronline.com