PORTSMOUTH, Va. – A man has been taken into custody after trying to flee a traffic stop Thursday.
Demario A. Phillips
38-year-old Demario A. Phillips of Portsmouth has been charged with felony eluding, driving on a suspended license and reckless driving.
Around 10:10 a.m., police said an officer noticed the driver of a gray Hyundai sedan, later identified as Phillips, speeding on I-264 E just before the Effingham Street exit in Portsmouth. The officer followed Phillips and stopped the vehicle at the off ramp split to St. Paul’s Boulevard and Waterside Drive in Norfolk once they were out of the tunnel.
Before the officer could get out of his car, Phillips fled down the exit ramp toward St. Paul’s Boulevard.
The officer said he got back in his car and saw Phillips crash as he was speeding off. The crash involved multiple vehicles.
Once officers got to Phillips they found out he had an active warrant for contempt of court in Portsmouth and he is now in custody, police said.
The Norfolk Police Department will be in charge of the investigation into the crash.
