NORFOLK, Va. - A Chesapeake Police pursuit ended in a serious crash at an intersection in Norfolk on Monday.
According to police, around 5:13 p.m., officers tried to conduct a traffic stop for an expired registration in the area of Bainbridge Boulevard and Chesapeake Drive. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop, which led to a chase that extended into Norfolk.
"I heard what sounded like an explosion. It was horrific - everyone was walking around wondering what to do next," said Lakendrick Ross, who captured the chaos on his cellphone.
The suspect continued to flee down Tidewater Drive, where police said he struck a Hyundai vehicle, causing minor damage and no injuries to the driver.
At around 5:16 p.m,. the suspect proceeded to run a red traffic signal at the intersection of Tidewater and Princess Anne Road, where he struck a Dodge sedan, causing serious injuries to the driver of that vehicle, according to police.
"A police officer's number one duty is public safety. Sometimes police pursuits can put public in danger," said Rick James, crime analyst and retired Norfolk Police officer.
There were four people in the suspect vehicle: Two men and two women. They were all taken to local hospitals with injuries that are not said to be serious.
News 3 was the first news outlet to arrive on scene. Our photojournalist said he saw a person being pulled from a vehicle and being put into an ambulance.
Our crew said they saw three police cars with their lights on speed by their news vehicle on Tidewater just moments before the crash happened. Damage to the brick wall around the cemetery on the corner of the intersection is visible.
On Tuesday, police released updates saying a man is facing several criminal charges.
After police investigated further, they said the suspect driver and two of the suspect passengers involved all had outstanding warrants.
"If it is just someone speeding who has misdemeanor warrant on file, that is something you can deal with later because the value of human life is more important," said James.
In this case, The suspect driver has been identified as 25-year-old Terrik Rice, and he was wanted out of Norfolk for Failure to Appear on a Possession of a Firearm by Felon charge. He is now being charged with four counts of probation violation, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, disregard police command to stop, damage over $250, damage to property and injury to victim.
One of the suspect passengers has been identified as 24-year-old DeneVian Upshur, who had an outstanding warrant for a probation violation.
Another suspect passenger has been identified as 24-year-old Donnisha Goodman of Portsmouth, who had an outstanding capias warrant, police said.
James says a lot must be considered before a police chase, as driving can become erratic, with this one happening during rush hour.
"If traffic conditions warrant it, you will want to consider calling off the pursuit," said James. "There is a supervisor who monitors pursuit, getting feedback from officers in real time and determining whether dangerous to public in real time they can discontinue the pursuit."
According to the Chesapeake Police Department's revised Police Pursuit Policy from this year, a pursuit can be terminated when:
- Hazards are high, exposing the officer and public to unwarranted risk.
- The suspects identity has been establish to the point that later apprehension can be accomplished.
- Lastly, these conditions indicate a further pursuit: Road, weather hazards, and high pedestrian traffic. When a pursuit crosses into another city, the supervisor decides if it should continue.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (1-888-562-5887), leave a tip online at P3Tips.com or on their mobile phone via the P3Tips app.
The Norfolk Police Department is investigating the crash. No other police departments were involved in this incident.
Click here to view the latest Chesapeake Police pursuit policy.
