CCSO requests VSP assistance in investigating fatal chase and car crash

Clarke County Sheriff Travis Sumption confirmed via email that Virginia State Police (VSP) are assisting in the investigation of a fatal car chase and subsequent car crash.

On the evening of June 24, a Clarke County deputy caught a driver on radar traveling 82 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone at the intersection of Harry Byrd Highway and Bee Lane.

The deputy initiated a traffic stop, but the driver ignored it and turned onto Kimble Road.

The driver ignored a stop sign and at one point reached speeds of up to 185 km/h.

The pursuit lasted less than two minutes and ended with the suspect’s Hyundai Sonata crashing on Kimble Road.

The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office requested that VSP continue the investigation.

The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) will also conduct an internal investigation.

An internal investigation is standard procedure in all investigations involving the Sheriff’s Office.

VSP spokesman Brent Coffey confirmed via email that the accident occurred on June 24 at around 9:50 p.m.

The VSP investigation identified the driver as 21-year-old Zachery W. Smallwood of Berryville.

It is obvious that Smallwood lost control of the road while making a left turn.

During the incident, the car struck several trees and came to a stop after hitting the power line of a power pole.

Smallwood was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown from the vehicle and died at the scene of the accident.

The speed was probably the reason why the vehicle went off the road.

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