HENRY COUNTY, VA – A Tuesday morning pursuit in Henry County resulted in a vehicle crashing and going up in flames.
Around 10:18 am, deputies were called to Willie Craig Road in Bassett for a man trespassing on private property.
Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis said deputies found a blue 2012 Nissan Sentra with a man inside parked in the driveway.
Deputies tried to identify the driver, but he gave a false name.
When they asked for his real name, he reversed his car, hitting a deputy’s vehicle, and sped off down Willie Craig Road, according to Sheriff Davis.
Deputies chased him from Bassett to the Mini Par Golf Range on A.L. Philpott Highway.
The suspect drove across the driving range and into a wooded area on the backside of the property where he crashed into a creek.
Deputies got him out of the car, which then caught fire.
Authorities used fire extinguishers until the Horsepasture Volunteer Fire Department arrived and put out the blaze.
Davis said the suspect suffered minor injuries from the crash and was taken to SOVAH Health in Martinsville for treatment.
The suspect, identified as Jason Todd McKinney, 46, from Patti Road in Rocky Mount, had several outstanding warrants.
McKinney had two felony probation violation warrants and two misdemeanor probation violation warrants from Henry County, as well as one felony and one misdemeanor probation violation warrant from Martinsville.
When they arrested him, Sheriff Davis said a substantial amount of suspected fentanyl pills and an undisclosed sum of money was found on him.
Because of the chase and drugs found, McKinney faces additional charges:
False identification to law enforcement
Felony eluding law enforcement
Possession of a scheduled I or II drug with intent to distribute.
McKinney is being held in the Henry County Adult Detention Center without bond.
