FIRE & EMS WATCH
State Police pursuit ends in crash on Iron Bridge Road
Becky Robinette Wright

The driver of this Mustang lost control and overturned while trying to elude police during a high speed chase.

A high speed chase ended in a dramatic crash late last month.

"Virginia State Trooper J.A. Taylor was stationary on Route 288 around 9:12 a.m. on Mar. 18 when a 1998 Mustang was observed traveling at a high rate of speed northbound on Route 288 at [the] Salem Church Road [overpass]," said Sgt. Thomas Cunningham. "Trooper Taylor attempted to make a traffic stop, but the Mustang kept going. The vehicle exited at Iron Bridge Road at high speed, crashed into the Harry G. Daniels Park sign at Iron Bridge and Whitepine roads across from Chesterfield County Airport, went airborne, came down, landed upside down and struck a Toyota Scion that was waiting to proceed at a stoplight."

Cunningham identified the driver as 18- year-old Nicholas Walls of Richmond. Police said Walls received non-life threatening injuries and was transported to CJW Medical Center's Chippenham campus. The driver of the Toyota Scion was not injured.

A car thief ditched this mini-van in the Falling Creek Reservoir.

Walls' top speed was 83 mph. After being released from the hospital, Walls was transported to the Chesterfield County Jail where he was charged with felony attempt to elude, two reckless driving and other traffic-related charges.

Submerged vehicle

There was a chilly nip in the air as tones sounded dispatching Chesterfield Scuba Rescue and other emergency crews to Falling Creek Reservoir at 4111 Hopkins Rd. around 7:30 a.m. on Mar. 21 for a vehicle in the water.

Lt. William Jeffords suited up and entered the frigid water to check for possible trapped victims in the almost completely submerged vehicle. Assessment showed the vehicle was a mini-van and unoccupied.

A wrecker then pulled the vehicle to shore. The van had been reported stolen from Chesterfield the night before. Police have not released any further information.

House fire

Smoke was rolling from a two-story residence when firefighters were dispatched to the 11700 block of Cedar Lane around 2:30 p.m. on Mar. 25. Crews conducted a search and determined the home was unoccupied.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze and checked extensively for hidden embers in the house, using chainsaws and poles with special hooks to provide ventilation and access any remaining pockets of burning ash. Crews from Chester, Centralia and Dutch Gap responded. The fire's cause is under investigation.

Brush fire

On Mar. 23, firefighters from Chester, Dale and Centralia stations were dispatched to Kingsdale and Brandywine around 7 p.m. for a brush fire. Crews arriving on scene discovered fire in the woods that was rapidly spreading. A crew from Enon was dispatched along with a unit from the forestry department to fight the fire.

While this event was going on, a call was dispatched for another brush fire in the same area at Normandale. Crews from Bensley,Wagstaff and Dutch Gap were sent to handle the call.

First responders reported approximately two acres on fire. It was discovered the two fires were of the same origin.

Pier fire

On Mar. 15, Bensley firefighters were dispatched for a pier on fire at The Park at Lakewood Apartments at Meadowdale Blvd. The fire was ruled suspicious and is under investigation.

House fire that wasn't

Also on Mar. 15, a call was dispatched for a possible house fire on Fernbrook Drive. When crews arrived, they discovered the house was fine, but a pile of debris in the backyard was on fire. The blaze was quickly extinquished.