Multiple people injured following explosive end to police pursuit in Northern Virginia
Multiple people are recovering from injuries following the police pursuit of a suspected stolen vehicle that ended in Fairfax County, Virginia, late Monday night.
Virginia State Police said troopers were called to assist Alexandria police officers after they attempted to stop a Hyundai Elantra along Route 1 around 11:19 p.m. State police said the car, which was “out of Maryland,” would not stop for the officers.
As police pursued the Elantra, the car rammed a Virginia State Police vehicle, causing the state trooper behind the wheel to crash into a power pole.
Virginia State Police said that crash brought “wires down onto the street.”
Meanwhile, the Elantra continued south along Route 1, where it ran a red light at the intersection of Fort Hunt Road, before bursting into flames after striking a Chevy Silverado electric pickup truck and a Toyota Corolla in the Belle Haven area, Virginia State Police said.
An unknown number of suspects were pulled from the fiery Elantra by state troopers and a Fairfax County police officer, who began first aid. Virginia State Police said one of the Elantra’s occupants was flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital. Other injured occupants were transported “to area hospitals with serious injuries.”
State police said a stolen firearm was recovered from one the Elantra’s occupants.
The driver of the Silverado was transported to a hospital with minor injuries. The people inside the Corolla were not injured, state police said.
This is a developing story. Stay with WTOP for additional details.