Claudville Man Arrested After High-Speed Pursuit in Patrick County
- BTW21
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
PATRICK COUNTY, Va. (BTW21) — A Claudville man is behind bars after leading deputies on a dangerous vehicle pursuit Tuesday afternoon, according to Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., deputies were patrolling in the area of Pedigo Ridge Road in search of Kenneth Dane Gray, 55, of 427 Pedigo Ridge Road.
Gray was wanted on a capias for failure to appear in Patrick County Circuit Court on methamphetamine distribution charges.
Senior Deputy Andrew Kinney attempted to stop Gray, who was driving a Chevrolet pickup.
Instead of pulling over, Gray fled recklessly along Pedigo Ridge Road, Unity Church Road, and Homeplace Road, authorities said.
Senior Deputy Dustin Dillon deployed spike strips on Homeplace Road, successfully deflating the truck’s front tires.
Despite the damage, Gray continued onto Ararat Highway, where Deputy Kinney used a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver to push the vehicle off the roadway.
Gray attempted to continue off-road but lost control and crashed into the side of the Ararat Volunteer Fire Department building, causing minor damage.
Deputies quickly removed him from the vehicle and placed him under arrest.
A search of Gray’s truck uncovered more than two ounces of suspected methamphetamine and a loaded handgun, according to Smith.
The narcotics will be sent to the state forensic lab for testing.
Sheriff Smith said Gray faces numerous firearm and narcotics-related felony charges, which are pending lab results.
“Gray is a career criminal with multiple methamphetamine distribution convictions,” Smith said in a statement. “The hardworking citizens of Ararat and Claudville have been victimized by his criminal behavior for far too long.”
Gray is being held without bond at the Patrick County Jail.