ROANOKE, Va. – UPDATE
Roanoke Police have identified the suspect in a police chase that led to a crash in Roanoke Friday morning as Robert K. Browning, 56 of Roanoke.
Browning is charged with the following:
- Disregard police command to stop, endangerment
- Possession of schedule I or II drugs
We’re told Browning also has existing warrants for felonies related to drug charges from another jurisdiction.
10 News also got to speak with the owner of the home whose house Browning crashed into. Julia Rigney thought the loud ‘bang’ was her boyfriend falling down the stairs.
“I yelled, are you okay’ and he said I’m okay but your car isn’t,” Rigney said.
She was getting ready for work when it all happened. Luckily she was running behind.
“I was running a little late this morning and I’m glad I was. I could have been in my vehicle or on my porch...anything could have happened. Somebody could have been walking by, like there’s so many different things that could have happened and we just feel very lucky that everyone’s okay,” Rigney said.
Rigney plans to do some cleanup between her car and the home over the weekend.
ORIGINAL STORY
The public is asked to avoid the area of 5th Street NW in Roanoke after a pursuit led to a crash in the area, according to Roanoke Police.
Police said 5th Street NW is closed from Harrison Avenue NW to Patton Avenue NW, and the intersection of 5th Street and Fairfax Avenue NW is also closed.
We’re told the driver of the vehicle crashed into two vehicles and a house after a brief pursuit with Roanoke Police officers. The officers were attempting to serve warrants on the driver, and located him in the 300 block of Hackley Avenue NW.
According to authorities, the suspect immediately fled the scene at a high speed before losing control of the vehicle and crashing. The suspect was transported by Roanoke Fire-EMS to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for minor injuries sustained during the crash.
No other serious injuries were reported to police.
RPD said the existing felony warrants and additional charges stemming from the pursuit will be served once the suspect is released from the hospital.
The public is asked to avoid the area if possible while officers work.
We’ll continue to update this article as we learn more.