Multi-vehicle crash during police pursuit results in jail time for Stuarts Draft man
Justin R. Harvey, 37, of Stuarts Draft, was convicted on Aug. 4 of felony eluding, possession of a Schedule I or II drug, reckless driving (by speed), operating an uninsured vehicle, and driving under the influence.
On Nov. 18, the Augusta County Sheriff's Office reported that a deputy spotted an Acura driven by Harvey that failed to yield the right-of-way at the intersection of Ramsey Road and Tinkling Spring Road in Fishersville.
The deputy attempted to make a stop but Harvey continued driving at a high-rate of speed, north on Tinkling Spring Road and then onto Jefferson Highway. The Augusta County Sheriff's Office said Harvey ran into a curb and the deputy tried pinning the Acura with his vehicle, making contact. However, Harvey managed to continue, running red lights and weaving in and out of traffic.
Court records indicate Harvey also went through several yards.
The brief pursuit, which saw speeds exceed 100 mph, ended at the intersection of Long Meadow Road and Jefferson Highway, where the speeding Acura hit another car, resulting in an eight-vehicle crash. The vehicles were waiting at a red light. Augusta County Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Holly Rasheed said five people were taken to the hospital for treatment.
At the scene, Harvey admitted to having a glass smoking device in the car, according to court records. Residue on the pipe field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
At the time of the pursuit, Harvey was wanted in Waynesboro for a December 2023 incident where he was accused of firing a gun in the parking lot of the Waynesboro Walmart on Lucy Lane. No injuries were reported.
Most of Harvey's Waynesboro charges went by the wayside in June after the case stalled when two victims of the shooting were previously no-shows for a jury trial, and a third victim passed away. He pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a non-violent felon. Harvey received no jail time but was ordered into an 18-month drug rehab. Three other felony charges were not prosecuted.
In Augusta County Circuit Court, where Harvey pleaded guilty to his most recent charges, he was sentenced to one year in jail. Harvey, who was represented at the hearing by Samuel Thomas of the Staunton Public Defender's Office, will also have another one year and two months added to his sentence if he fails to complete the 18-month in-patient drug rehabilitation program following his release from jail, according to plea agreement.
Harvey was also placed on three years of probation.
More: National Night Out happening Aug. 5 in Augusta County
More: Law change spearheaded by local attorney ends juvenile shackling in courtrooms
Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter).
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Pursuit that ended in crash nets jail term for Stuarts Draft man
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