23-year-old woman crashes into pole, dies after police chase through Roanoke

Police say she was not wearing a seat belt

ROANOKE, Va. – A routine traffic stop turned into a police chase that ended in a fatal crash, killing the 23-year-old driver. 

Around 12:15 a.m. Friday, Roanoke police say they noticed a driver blow through a red light in the area of Orange Avenue and Gainsboro Road NW, prompting a traffic stop. When the officer approached the car, she drove off, according to the police department. 

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During a pursuit, the driver, Rashele Monique Lee, of Roanoke, crashed into a pole on Moorman Avenue NW, the vehicle overturned several times ejecting the driver, and she died at the scene, according to Virginia State Police.

No officers were injured in the crash or pursuit.

State police will handle the investigation.