Roanoke Co. man leads police on chase

WSLS News Staff
Published: August 14, 2008

Updated:  6:05 p.m. Thursday, August 14th
Police sources tell 10 On Your Side the chase reached speeds of more than 100 mph on West Main Street in Salem.
Police believe Aldridge wrecked into four cars, including a Roanoke County police cruiser, in less than 20 minutes.
Sources confirm Aldridge narrowly missed hitting a dump truck on Butt Hollow Road near Howard Lane before clipping the police cruiser.
Sources also say that’s when Roanoke County officers decided to end their portion of the chase.
No one was seriously injured in any of the crashes.
Aldridge’s black Ford Mustang is now in a Salem towing lot.
Aldridge is now in the Roanoke County-Salem Jail.
Police sources say they still have no idea why Aldridge decided to run.
10 On Your Side checked Aldridge’s criminal and driving history in several local counties.
All we could find was a misdeamnor reckless driving conviction last May.
Sources say Aldridge had a valid drivers license and no outstanding warrants.

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Updated: 12:11 p.m., Thursday, August 14th

Salem Police Sgt. Joe Mills tells us charges have been filed.

According to Sgt. Mills, Aldridge is charged with: Eluding police, attempted assault and battery of a police officer, reckless driving, and three counts of hit and run in Salem.  In Roanoke County, Aldridge is charged with eluding police, property damage, and two counts of attempted assault and battery of a police officer.

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Original story posted: 11:22 p.m. Wednesday, August 13th

Salem Police say 27-year-old Travis Aldridge hit a car at the intersection of West Main Street and 4th Street just after 6 p.m. Wednesday night and then drove off.

A Roanoke Co. Police Officer spotted Aldridge’s car at West Main Street and Duiguid’s Lane and tried to pull him over.  Officers say Aldridge did not, and hit a car right in from of him.

Police tells us Aldridge then turned into a neighborhood on the Roanoke Co./Salem City line at a high rate of speed.  In this area, police say Aldridge hit an officer’s cruiser, and left the neighborhood.

Salem Police then saw Aldridge driving on Texas Hollow Road, where officers say Aldridge crashed into a parked car at a used car dealership.  Police finally arrested Aldridge there.

Officers tell us no one else was hurt during the chase.

EMS crews took Aldridge to Lewis Gale Medical Center for treatment.  Aldridge is expected to be okay.

Salem police say charges are pending both in Salem, and in Roanoke Co.