PATRICK COUNTY, VA – A man is dead and a woman is in the hospital following a multi-county chase that ended with a crash in Patrick County on Friday.
The incident started in Halifax County, when Christine Barnette, 41, of Cary, North Carolina, was found by park rangers inside an unoccupied, unrented cabin in Staunton River State Park, according to Virginia State Police.
State Police said Barnette fled the cabin, got into her 2010 Toyota Corolla, sped away and was chased by the law enforcement rangers.
As she left the state park, the Halifax County Sheriff's Office pursued her Toyota and attempted a vehicle containment, but she forcefully got her vehicle out of it and hit a deputy's vehicle.
Multiple agencies were notified of the pursuit, and the Toyota was again located at 12:52 p.m. in Martinsville.
The Martinsville Police Department tried to stop Barnette, but she ran from police again.
The pursuit continued through Henry County, entering Patrick County and multiple attempts were made to contain and stop her.
At 1:18 p.m., while being chased west on Route 58 in Patrick County, Barnette crossed the median into eastbound and struck a 2005 Toyota Corolla head-on, according to authorities.
Barnette was injured and flown to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Police said the 2005 Toyota was driven by Bobby Gammons, 81, of Mount Airy, North Carolina, who was wearing his seatbelt and died at the scene.
Barnette is facing charges of breaking and entering, reckless driving, defrauding an Inn Keeper, felony eluding police, trespassing, and vehicular homicide.
The crash remains under investigation.